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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. Where does Peterson live?

2. What does Edmund call his sister?

3. On his way to the saloon to buy supplies for himself and Dupin, who follow Edward?

4. At the clothier's shop, what does the large man do when he sees Edmund?

5. When he is at Mrs. Whitman's house to deliver Dupin's letter, what does Edmund hear Mrs. Powers say she thinks Mrs. Whitman should do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Do you think Edmund should have stopped to help the old man before returning home?

7. What did Edgar Allan Poe do in his mystery stories that no one had done before, and how does this impact future mystery writers?

8. What do you think is Dupin's primary motivation for helping Edmund?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What is the symbolism of Poe's use of a pseudonym? What is the significance of the specific pseudonym he chooses? What are some other examples of his assuming a false identify, and what do these say about his character?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the process of Edmund's coming of age in the novel. What are the influences that trigger his development? How does he change from a helpless child to a brave, assertive rescuer?

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