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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Edmund escape his pursuer at the docks?
(a) By jumping into the harbor and swimming away.
(b) By pretending to have a weapon.
(c) By crawling along the underside of a wharf.
(d) By shouting out.

2. What is Dupin surprised to learn that Captain Elias told Edmund?
(a) The S.S. Freedom does not exist.
(b) Fortnoy was keeping watch at the time of the murder.
(c) The Lady Liberty does not exist.
(d) Captain Elias was keeping watch at the time of the murder.

3. What happens to Edmund when he confronts his sister's kidnapper?
(a) He is taken onto the ship.
(b) He is knocked into the harbor.
(c) He is tied up.
(d) He is knocked unconscious.

4. What does Dupin NOT tell Edmund about Arnold's classified ad?
(a) It was placed by Peterson.
(b) It brought Rachett and Peterson together.
(c) It was intended to get a reaction from Edmund's aunt.
(d) It was placed by Rachett.

5. What does Dupin NOT tell Edmund about his mother?
(a) She is dead.
(b) She followed her husband to Providence.
(c) She sent an urgent message to her sister.
(d) She has been held captive by Rachett.

Short Answer Questions

1. When introducing him to her guests, how does Mrs. Whitman refer to Dupin?

2. What happened to Poe in real life?

3. With whom is Dupin's first encounter at the cemetery?

4. While Dupin is at Mrs. Whitman's home, what does Captain Elias tell Edmund at the docks?

5. For what reason does Dupin believe Edmund's sister was abducted?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do both Dupin and Edmund frequently believe they have seen ghosts?

2. What is the significance, in Chapter 16, of Edmund throwing himself at a man with a gun?

3. What is the turning point Edmund experiences in Chapter 14?

4. What is the symbolism in Chapter 19 of Poe's belief upon seeing Edmund and his mother that his characters have come to life?

5. Why do you think the author has Edmund's mother demand both the divorce and her money, rather than just being satisfied with a divorce, when she first encounters her husband?

6. Why do you think the author uses the circular technique of starting Poe's story in a way that is identical to the start of the novel?

7. Why do you think Edmund makes the final decision to tear up Poe's story before going to the docks to rescue Sis?

8. What is the symbolism, in Chapter 13, of Dupin's imagining that Helen's mothers guests are demons wearing masks of black death?

9. What does Dupin mean in Chapter 14 when he tells Edmund that "the story is over"?

10. Do you think Poe is a coward for giving up on marrying Helen because, as he says, too many timid people feel threatened by his power as a writer?

(see the answer keys)

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