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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. Who eavesdrops on the conversation between Rev. Fickett, Mr. Milne, and Mr. Shilling when they discuss Lisa Shilling's mental illness?
2. Why did Lisa Shilling and Betsy Goodman look to Elizabeth Frazer for answers to Lisa's problems?
3. As Lisa Shilling's mental condition continues to deteriorate, what are some of the things she does that are disconcerting to Betsy Goodman?
4. According to the narrator, which major character seems to contribute the most meaningful comments during group therapy sessions?
5. What is the favorite topic of conversation when Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, Elizabeth Frazer, and Lisa Shilling just sit around and chat?
Short Essay Questions
1. Is Betsy Goodman a reliable narrator?
2. Betsy Goodman meets with Mr. Bernstein several times and he explains why he cannot become involved. Yet she continues to turn to him for help. Why does Betsy continue to attempt to rely on Mr. Bernstein?
3. How does Betsy Goodman's focus on movie stars help develop the plot?
4. Mr. Milne makes a few attempts to have Lisa Shilling's condition accepted and treated. He calls upon the school authorities in a formal and, later, an informal manner. He also meets with Rev. Fickett and Mr. Shilling directly. His attempts meet with failure as first Bernstein and the school administration and later Mr. Shilling stonewall him. Should Milne have done anything differently? Should Milne have given up when he did?
5. How might the narrative differ if the protagonists were male?
6. Between Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Nell Fickett, and Betsy Goodman, which character tries the least to understand Lisa Shilling's diagnosis?
7. Mary Nell Fickett believes that she might fully master the study of abnormal psychology by reading many books. Describe Mary Nell's reasoning and comment upon it.
8. As the novel points out, Mr. and Mrs. Shilling ultimately are the legally responsible persons for the care of the daughter Lisa. After reading of their stubborn refusal to admit there is a problem, is this the approach that society should continue to utilize for child rearing?
9. Describe Lisa Shilling's punctuality and dependability.
10. After Lisa Shilling deliberately walks through a glass window she is hospitalized with fairly serious injuries. She remains in the hospital for at least a few days. Mary Nell Fickett assumes that this suicide attempt necessarily will involve social workers who will force Mr. and Mrs. Shilling to confront Lisa's mental illness. However, this does not occur. Why?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Of the four primary mothers in the novel--Mrs. Shilling, Mrs. Goodman, Mrs. Fickett, and Mrs. Frazer--who would you least like to have as a mother? Why?
Essay Topic 2
Which character causes the most harm to Lisa Shilling--Mr. Bernstein, Mr. Shilling, or Mrs. Shilling? Explain and defend your selection.
Essay Topic 3
Enumerate Lisa Shilling's major symptoms and discuss them within the context of the novel. Do any of Mary Nell's analysis efforts shed light on a potential diagnosis for Lisa? What do you think would be Lisa's diagnosis? Do you believe that having a specific diagnosis helps or hinders professional treatment?
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This section contains 1,302 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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