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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 happens to the ship Edmund's sister was on?

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

3. Where is Edmund reunited with his mother?

4. What does Poe believe when he first sees Edmund with his mother?

5. What does Dupin NOT tell Edmund about Arnold's classified ad?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can the reader learn about the real-life Poe in this novel?

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

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

4. What is the importance of the guests' discussion of whether it is possible to read a man's character from his face?

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

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

7. 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?

8. How does Edmund's character change by Chapter 18, compared to the Prologue?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Edmund initially chooses to trust a stranger rather than going to the authorities? What is it about Dupin that makes him believe he is helpful? What would you do in Edmund's in place?

Essay Topic 2

Once the central conflict of Sis's disappearance is resolved, do you characterize Poe's dissatisfaction with it as a twist? Poe makes it clear to Edmund that he believes he can give Sis immortality in his story. Is Poe's lack of reaction to Sis's recovery to be expected, or is it a surprise that adds color and depth to the final moments of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think the characters frequently think they see ghosts throughout the novel? What do the ghosts symbolize? What is the significance of the fact that these characters generally realize immediately that ghosts don't really exist?

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