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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. Who was Bianca's father?

2. As a child, Lucy had a collection of _______________.

3. Who did Bianca marry?

4. Where is Will now storing some of his guns?

5. Where does Will stay when Lucy tells him to leave the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lucy's success at teaching Sunday School

2. What is the story of the woman at the train station which makes Lucy change her mind about leaving her family?

3. Describe how Cassie and her family members were taken aboard the big boat in Africa.

4. How do Lucy's children feel about Cassie in their lives?

5. What are the circumstances of the death of Lucy and Will's baby, Archie?

6. What are the circumstances in which Maimie is terminated by Angus McCloud?

7. What story does Lady Marsden ask Cassie to tell as they wait for Sherman's troops to arrive?

8. Why does Lucy decide to leave her family and what gives her validation on her decision?

9. Why does Maimie decide to kill herself?

10. How does Lieutenant Prothero behave inappropriately toward Unison Randolph?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of struggle. Identify at least two instances about struggle in the story and then cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Gurganus' writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 1,025 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample