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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. To what was Richard Steele referring in the following quote? "... the compleatest image of heaven and hell we are capable of receiving in this life."

2. Who else, besides mothers, links separation and danger?

3. What is the name of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's highly influential book?

4. In this book, mentioned in Chapter 12, it is stated that despite sexual feelings toward friends of the same sex, individuals need not necessarily define themselves as "homosexual." What is the name of the book?

5. There are what number of friendships that Viorst labels in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Viorst's three friends approach death differently?

2. In thinking about losses as a lifelong theme, name some of the juxtapositions that Viorst discusses in Chapter 20.

3. What happens in our thirties, in relation to our parents?

4. What types of unexpected emotions can we feel towards friends? How do they impact our friendships?

5. Name the five stages of dying described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Briefly describe each stage.

6. What can happen as a result of a mother's fear that her child's psyche is fragile? How can this affect the child?

7. How does baggage from childhood put pressure on a marriage?

8. Viorst describes a sort of "opposites attract" type marriage relationship where each party meets a neurotic need of the other party. What did she call this type of arrangement?

9. What are a few of the difficulties of a marriage relationship mentioned in Chapter 13?

10. What are some of the different types of loss and mourning discussed in Chapter 16? Do we experience them all in the same way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 15 talks about the "corporate characteristic" of families, specifically mentioning the Bachs and the Kennedys. Explore this idea of family identity and myths. Using support from the book, in what ways is it helpful for families? In what ways could it be problematic? Consider your own experience and whether your family or friends' families have a "corporate characteristic."

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the perception that our image of our mother as an all-loving, all-encompassing being with the reality of what most mother's really must be. Why do we all seem to have such idealistic perceptions of mothers as such selfless, loving beings? Are these perceptions based in some reality or just fantasy? How do these perceptions play out and affect who we become, our expectations for love in other relationships, etc.?

Essay Topic 3

Sigmund Freud first discovered and described the Oedipus complex. Write an essay about the beginning of this complex, why it was named after Oedipus, and how it continues to impact modern psychology. Using support from the book and your own life, discuss why or why not you may agree or disagree with Freud and Viorst's view of this theory.

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