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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 happened during the first few days in court?

2. Who did the Danforths learn would be attending the trial in support of Sibyl?

3. What was the name given to the baby Sibyl delivered from Charlotte's womb?

4. What charge did Hastings hope for after it was determined that Sibyl would be charged?

5. What did Hastings say Anne failed to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was significant about the manner in which Sibyl stitched Charlotte's body?

2. What realization did Connie come to while she was watching the goings on in the court during the jury selection?

3. Why did the prosecutor put the state trooper on the stand to testify?

4. Why did Sibyl sew up Charlotte's abdomen after the baby was delivered?

5. Why did Connie continue to read other entries in Sibyl's journal after reading the one she found the notebook opened to?

6. Why did Tanner depict Charlotte as a frail woman?

7. Why did Connie seem concerned about the relationship between Sibyl and Hastings?

8. Why did many of Sibyl's clients attend the trial with their infants?

9. Why was the medical examiner's testimony particularly harmful to Sibyl's defense?

10. Why did Sibyl refuse to accept any possible settlements that might be offered?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Connie fit the role of protagonist? What is unusual about her role as protagonist?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss symbolism in Midwives. What symbols are present in the novel? What does each stand for?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Sibyl charged with manslaughter? How does Charlotte's death fit the definition of manslaughter? What defense does Stephen Hastings use? Is his defense reasonable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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