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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. Lady Marsden was known to be a master at _________________.

2. Who was the nursing home director that Lucy liked?

3. What thought did Lucy have on her wedding night?

4. What item did Will get from a dying Union soldier?

5. Who is Lucy's first daughter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do most of the slaves remain at The Lilacs even after they are freed?

2. How did Ned Smythe's mother react to news of his death?

3. Why does Lucy allow Will to tell his war stories to the children in spite of her objection to them?

4. How did the slaves treat Lady Marsden after she was burned in the fire at The Lilacs?

5. How old are Lucy and Will when they meet and begin a courtship?

6. What is Will's behavior at the site where Ned was killed?

7. Why did Will make the trip to Massachusetts to meet with Simon Utts' family?

8. What is the irony of Sal Smith's situation when Will sees him again many years later?

9. What is the initial relationship between Lucy and Castalia (Cassie)?

10. Who is the only man that Lucy likes in the nursing home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the point of view of the novel? Why did Gurganus choose to write the story from this perspective? What are the benefits and the limitations to this particular point of view?

Essay Topic 2

Gurganus is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss whether Will was a victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. What are the symptoms of this disorder? What behaviors haunted Will for the rest of his life after his service in the Civil War? What do you think people called this disorder which was not formally recognized at this time?

(see the answer keys)

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