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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. What is significant about the mysterious man standing behind the woman at the Russian's execution?

2. In the woman's story, why was the Russian going to be executed?

3. When promising to show the exotic birds to the schoolgirls, what does Manuel say is different about the bird from Brazil?

4. What disturbs Lina about Michel's apartment?

5. What are Edna's career aspirations?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Dorothy and Edna in "Two Sisters."

2. How does Michel seduce Lina?

3. In what ways does Lina try to seduce the narrator?

4. Describe the two mystery women in "Sirocco."

5. Why does Dorothy become frigid to Robert and how does she attempt to handle it?

6. What leads up to the schoolgirls running from Manuel at the end of this story?

7. For what reasons does Edna begin to find her self-confidence again after becoming estranged from Harry?

8. What are the differing opinions given on why Lina behaves the way she does with the narrator?

9. Why will Maria never allow her husband to see her nude and rarely poses for him?

10. Describe the scene with the four girls in Manuel's apartment on their second visit.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of innocence in "Little Birds" in the following format:

Part 1) The schoolgirls (and unsuspecting ladies) in "Little Birds."

Part 2) Maria in "the Maja."

Part 3) The narrator in "a Model."

Part 4) Jeannette in "Runaway."

Develop a clear thesis statement and apply it to these characters. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role sexual frustration plays in these characters' lives, as well as the causes of this and their eventual remedy for it in the following format:

Part 1) Louis from "the Woman on the Dunes" and Robert and Donald from "Two Sisters."

Part 2) Rango's frustration with Hilda.

Part 3) The husband from "Sirocco" and Albert from "Saffron" and how their actions hurt their wives (be sure to also discuss how their wives eventually deal with these situations and how it affects the marriages).

Part 4) Lina. Discuss not only the possibility of her inability to identify as a woman, but her enjoyment of having sex with both Michel and the narrator.

Part 5) The narrator in "a Model." Focus especially on her attempt to give her virginity to her boyfriend as well as her relationships with the artists.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Bijou and Mary? Why is it significant that both women are depicted as being highly promiscuous? Why is it important to note that descriptions of these characters are filtered through the perceptions of people who are attracted to them (and, in Bijou's case, infuriated by her)? In what way is Mary able to break out of her role? Why are both women depicted as being so unhappy? How does this reflect upon the people who pursue relationships with them? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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