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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. Mr. Bernstein says he entirely can't act in Lisa Shilling's best interests because he must do what?
2. 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?
3. Which major character has frequent visual and audible hallucinations?
4. Betsy Goodman and Mary Nell Fickett try to diagnose Lisa Shilling by watching Elizabeth Taylor's performance in which movie?
5. During one group therapy session Lisa Shilling teases Mary Nell Fickett by making up a recurring dream. What is the dream that Lisa makes up?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe some of Lisa Shilling's self-destructive behaviors.
2. 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?
3. What actions does Lisa Shilling take to attempt to convince her parents that she needs professional help?
4. How does Betsy Goodman's focus on movie stars help develop the plot?
5. 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.
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. The four protagonists have a backyard cookout that ends with Lisa Shilling assaulting Elizabeth Frazer. What leads up to Lisa's assault?
9. 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?
10. If you were in Lisa's situation, to whom would you turn for help?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Describe the family dynamics of the Goodman family. What do the parents spend their time doing? What do the children spend their time doing? Who talks to whom? Also, who doesn't communicate? Does it 'matter' that Lisa has an older, married sister?
Essay Topic 2
Mary Nell Fickett's father is the Reverend Fickett of a local congregation. Although the novel does not give many details about Rev. Fickett is is probably safe to assume he is Christian. Do you think that Mary Nell's character realistically portrays the daughter of a religious leader? What aspects (if any) of Mary Nell's character appear to epitomize the Christian faith? As you read the novel was it easy for you to accept that the Rev. Fickett was indeed a religious leader?
Essay Topic 3
In the final analysis, who is the novel 'about'? Is the novel the story of Lisa Shilling and her fight against mental illness? Or is the novel about Betsy Goodman and her coming of age as a friend in a difficult relationship? Is it about denial in parents and community? Or is it about someone or something else? Explain and defend your selection.
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This section contains 1,322 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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