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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 is the name of the part of town where Cassie lives?

2. How are people identified in the nursing home?

3. Who was the Union soldier Will dragged into a ditch with him?

4. What have some of the people at the nursing home gotten Lucy interested in?

5. What is the nature of Cap's business?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How old was Willie when he became a soldier and how did the war affect him?

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

5. To what does Will attribute Cassie's aloof demeanor?

6. Why is Lucy concerned for Will during the family's trip to view Civil War sites?

7. What is the premise of OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL?

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

9. Why does Will terminate Cassie?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How does Gurganus use the literary technique of local color in OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Falls establishments, in the characters, and in the events.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in the early to mid 20th century when Lucy is living her life. How did women's roles evolve? What precedents did they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions did they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not?

(see the answer keys)

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