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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. Why does Mr. Shilling reject Rev. Fickett's and Mr. Milne's assertion that Lisa Shilling is suffering from serious mental illness?

2. Of the four major characters in the novel, which one eventually becomes the decision-maker of the group?

3. When Rev. Fickett and Mr. Milne tell Mr. Shilling that his daughter Lisa is in serious trouble, what is Mr. Shilling's first assumption about Lisa's problem?

4. After Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Elizabeth Frazer feel they have not been able to help Lisa Shilling, what does Mrs. Goodman advise them to do?

5. When Mrs. Shilling arrived at the Goodman house just after Lisa Shilling's accident and saw a broken window, what was her first assumption?

Short Essay Questions

1. Betsy Goodman is watching a television program about a mentally ill (and committed) patient when Lisa Shilling arrives. Why does Lisa's appearance make Betsy uncomfortable?

2. 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?

3. How does Betsy Goodman's focus on movie stars help develop the plot?

4. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman briefly consider inviting Lisa Shilling's younger sister Tracy to their group therapy sessions. They decide against it. Why do they decide against it?

5. After Lisa assaults Elizabeth, she makes her close friends make her a particular promise. What is the promise, and why does she make them accept it?

6. Betsy Goodman believes at one point that she might gain valuable insight into Lisa Shilling's condition simply by watching an Elizabeth Taylor movie. Describe Betsy's reasoning and comment upon it.

7. The four protagonists have a backyard cookout that ends with Lisa Shilling assaulting Elizabeth Frazer. What leads up to Lisa's assault?

8. When discussing a movie about mental illness with her friends, Lisa Shilling comments on one particular aspect or scene of the movie that makes her uncomfortable. What is that aspect?

9. Between Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Nell Fickett, and Betsy Goodman, which character tries the least to understand Lisa Shilling's diagnosis?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the role of class in the novel. Which characters act appropriately for their class? Who is the wealthiest character in the novel and how do they act? Who is the poorest character in the novel and how do they act?

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