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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. As Mary Nell Fickett's confidence sinks, what happens to Betsy Goodman?

2. After Mr. Shilling rejects Rev. Fickett's and Mr. Milne's request to obtain medical help for Lisa Shilling, what does Rev. Fickett say to his daughter?

3. Who does Lisa Shilling accuse of trying to steal Brian Morris away from her?

4. When Mary Nell Fickett talks to her father about Lisa Shilling, how does her father respond?

5. After Elizabeth Frazer bluntly states that Lisa Shilling needs to be placed in a mental institution, how does Mrs. Shilling (Lisa's mother) respond?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

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

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. Cover photographs aside, what narratives clues are there that identify the four protagonists as white?

7. Describe Lisa Shilling's punctuality and dependability.

8. Describe some of Lisa Shilling's self-destructive behaviors.

9. Describe the typical group therapy session involving Lisa Shilling, Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Elizabeth Frazer.

10. Lisa Shilling occasionally talks in a deep, sultry voice with a notable English accent. Betsy Goodman associates this English-sounding Lisa with the dark Lisa. In popular psychology, what type of mental illness would account for this distinction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the role of gender in the novel--do characters act they way they do because they are male or female? Which characters (if any) don't act like they 'should' for their gender?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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