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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 did Paul once give to Debi after they had sex behind St. Jude's?

2. What does Pammy suggest Alma do when Debi waves at her?

3. What does Debi think the salesman from Ohio might have to explain to "St. Whoever" (6) after he dies?

4. What did Debi use in the Mac-n-cheese for her daughter and her male friend when they had no milk?

5. What did Debi's ex-lover, the salesman from Ohio, always have with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene at Paul's gravesite a few days after his funeral.

2. How does Debi try to cope with the fact that Vicky ran away from her?

3. Who is Vicky? Describe her relationship with Debi.

4. What happened when Vicky brought a boy name Rob over? In what way did Debi embarrass Vicky? What did Vicky do that Debi found absurd?

5. What has Debi done in her past which she admits makes her no angel?

6. What does Pammy say to Alma when they first see Debi? How does Alma respond?

7. When did Vicky leave? Where did she go? With whom? What was the last word Debi received from her daughter?

8. Why does Debi think she should have been born in the future?

9. What was Debi's relationship with Paul, Sr.? How does Debi feel about Paul and his behavior?

10. Why is Debi surprised Alma's children pay any attention to her on Mother's Day? What did Debi see Paulie doing at Wegman's the day before Mother's Day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the author of "Mother's Day." Who is he? What else has he written? How is "Mother's Day" similar or different from his previous works?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the importance gender has on the story. What does the story say about womanhood and motherhood? Why is this important?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the theme of motherhood in "Mother's Day." Discuss Debi and Alma as mothers and their present relationship with their children. How do these relationships speak to the themes of the past, regret, and self-delusion?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample