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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. In what month does the story begin?

2. At the bank, who is the author of the urgent message Mr. Poley hands Peterson?

3. After they discuss Edmund's step-father, who does Dupin send Edmund to speak to at the docks?

4. What is the title of one of Edgar Allan Poe's famous mystery books?

5. When Dupin identifies Rachett as Edmund's step-father, what does Edmund tell him about the reason his mother came to America?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the locked-room mystery engage the reader?

2. How do you think the novel would be different if there were no prologue?

3. Why do you think the author chose not to reveal Sis's true name?

4. What is the significance of the absence of adults in the Prologue?

5. What is the significance of the fact that both Edmund and Dupin have an important person in their lives whom they call Sis?

6. Based on the prologue, what do you think is the author's opinion of Poe as a writer?

7. Why do you think the author has Dupin tell Edmund that he has certain critical information, but refuses to share it with him?

8. What is the significance of Edmund's direct accusation, in Chapter Nine, that Dupin has abandoned him?

9. Do you think there is any significance to the author's choice of the name "Edmund"?

10. When Edmund sees Dupin asleep, surrounded by empty liquor bottles, in Chapter Three, what conflict does it bring about it Edmund's thinking?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do you characterize Dupin/Poe's crime-solving methods? Do you think they are effective? Use specific details from the novel to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter Two, Dupin tells Edmund that "there is a difference what happens and what we would like to have happen". How does this quote summarize the essential difference between Dupin and Edmund throughout the novel? How does it relate to the theme of hope versus despair?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 13, the guests discuss whether it is possible to read a man's character from his face. Do you think they are accurately describing Dupin's approach to crime solving? For example, does Dupin/Poe attempt to discern whether a man is honest simply by looking at him? Do you think you can generally "judge a book by its cover", or is more probing required to get to the truth?

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