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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 was David's upbringing like?

2. Who in Lucy's family suffered from PTSD?

3. How did Lucy feel the day she got married to William?

4. Who has never liked to cook?

5. Who has a miscarriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What punishment did Lucy endure as a child when she lied?

2. How long was Lucy married to William?

3. Who is Lois Bubar?

4. What activity did Lucy hate doing with her family when she was married to William?

5. Who is Clyde Trask?

6. What does Estelle's note to William say?

7. Who is Marilyn Smith?

8. What does William discover about his mother via an ancestry subscription service?

9. Where is Catherine from?

10. Who is Wilhelm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring Lucy's upbringing in rural Illinois. Lucy grew up in bleak poverty, and was essentially ushered into the world by her first husband, William. In what ways does Lucy's upbringing -- her family life and how she was raised -- continue to impact her, even well into adulthood? Use examples from the text as support.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the made-up mother Lucy talks to in her head when she is feeling upset or anxious. What is the function of this made-up figure? What does it suggest about Lucy's relationship to her actual mother? Use examples from the text as support.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring Lucy's idea that people crave "authority." In particular, that one reason she felt so safe with William during their marriage was because he was a self-assured and authoritative person. In what moments throughout the novel is it clear that this idea about authority and the safety it provides is true for Lucy? Use examples from the text as support.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 562 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample