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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 adjective does Connell use to characterize the overall personality of Helen?

2. Who consoles Marianne outside after her coupe champagne glass is shattered?

3. Who is Marianne's best friend for the longest period of college?

4. Marianne confesses to Connell that Jamie is a what?

5. For what sole purpose has Connell entered the church in the past?

Short Essay Questions

1. By April of 2012, Connell and Marianne have fallen into a certain routine. What is it?

2. When Connell finds that he will not be able to pay rent over the summer in his Dublin flat, what is his back-up plan?

3. What does it mean to Connell when he wins the full scholarship to graduate school?

4. What gift does Connell bring back for Mariane from his trip in the summer of 2013 and why?

5. Discuss Rooney's use of a literary device to depict, foreshadow, or imply violence.

6. How are the issues of privilege and class differences depicted within Peggy's experiences?

7. What is Connell doing in July of 2013?

8. What simile does Rooney use to describe Connell's feelings about writing and why?

9. What does Connell find troubling about the financial arrangements among Marianne, Lorraine, and himself?

10. What is Marianne's reply when Peggy asks about Marianne's hang-ups?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Jamie's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Rooney in depicting Jamie and include in your discussion the reasons that Rooney portrays Jamie in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Marianne’s character throughout the novel Normal People. Discuss whether Marianne is a round or flat character and whether Marianne is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Provide a thorough analysis of the denouement of Rooney's novel Normal People.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 918 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample