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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Before moving to Long Island, Mary Nell Fickett lived in what U.S. State?
2. Which character is described by the narrator as a "quiet, distinguished-looking man about sixty who has real style...[he] can talk with you and make you feel instantly at home" (p. 30)?
3. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. After that conversation what does Lisa do?
4. Where do Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Lisa Shilling first meet for an impromptu group therapy session?
5. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. Lisa tries to tell her parents that she thinks she might be crazy because...
Short Essay Questions
1. Who is the narrator in chapter one?
2. Describe Lisa on a so-called bright day and contrast that description to Lisa on a so-called dark day.
3. Why does Lisa Shilling believe that she is suffering form mental illness?
4. What kind of a job does Mr. Jackson do as the school principal?
5. In what is Mr. Shilling primarily interested?
6. Why is chapter one presented in italic type face?
7. Why is Betsy Goodman the youngest of the major protagonists?
8. Why does Elizabeth Frazer gradually become the de facto decision-maker of what is and is not good for Lisa Shilling?
9. Based on the various descriptions of the four main protagonists' families, do you believe they would all go to the same public high school?
10. Mental illness aside, how typical are the four main protagonists of the novel?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
When the novel was first published it was quite up to date and contemporaneous. For today, however, the novel has many elements that appear dated. List elements in the novel that made you think you were reading a dated novel, and explain why. Use examples from the text.
Essay Topic 2
Assume that the basis of all criticism is the reader's response to the text. Without focusing on a critical theory, describe your reaction to the text. Did you like the book? Why or why not? What aspects (if any) of the novel did you particularly like, and why? What aspects (if any) did you particularly dislike, and why?
Essay Topic 3
Mrs. Shilling functions as the novel's primary antagonist as she absolutely refuses to admit her daughter might be suffering from mental illness. Instead, Mrs. Shilling spends her time ignoring her daughter and when faced with incontrovertible evidence points fingers instead of looking for solutions. Do you find the portrayal of Mrs. Shilling credible? Describe Mrs. Shilling's role in the novel. Have you ever know someone like Mrs. Shilling?
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This section contains 1,065 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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