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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. How does Mandra describe her beauty in relation to Miriam's natural beauty?

2. Why does Mary not want Mandra to meet her husband?

3. In what state does Rango generally live?

4. Fill in the blank for this quote from "Mandra:" "[Miriam and Paul's] obsession [is] with the word that is the key to society--everything must be "________."

5. In what is Laura and Jan lying in the second half of "the Chanchiquito?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the painter in "The Queen" claim to like women such as Bijou?

2. Describe the relationship the narrator from "A Model" forms with Reynolds while they are in the countryside.

3. What happens when Fay demands Albert make love to her?

4. How does Hilda change throughout the course of this story?

5. What pictures does Jan draw on the ceiling and why?

6. For what reasons is the narrator and the mysterious man at the end of "A Model" drawn together, eventually becoming lovers?

7. In "The Chanchiquito", what happens to the old lady in Laura's uncle's story?

8. How does Fay discover Albert is being unfaithful?

9. Describe the contrasts (physical and personality-wise) between Jan and Laura.

10. How does the painter know Bijou is faithless at the Art Ball?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is this book called "Little Birds?" How does the title relate to the activities in the title story of this book? How does this theme relate to other characters and situations? Why is it significant that a collection of erotic stories should choose to have this connotation? In what ways does this help to subvert the idea that this book is merely pornography? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

One of the major themes of "Little Birds" is about submission and control. Analyze and discuss this in regards to the gender dynamics of these stories, the age of the characters (particularly the stories dealing with young women and older men), and how it relate to the power struggle found in many of the couples in this book. Also, discuss the outcomes of these struggles and how the relationship suffers or thrives. Be sure to develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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