View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old does Carol say she is?

2. What song does Val play in Act 1 Scene 1?

3. What is the name of the local highway?

4. What does Carol tell Val she's not allowed to do?

5. What does Carol say it means "if you break the heel off your slipper in the morning"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jabe say after Lady is shot? What does he do?

2. Explain Vee's feelings about painting.

3. Describe the set of Orpheus Descending.

4. Where do Val and Lady go in the end of Act 2? What does this imply?

5. What does Lady ask Val in Act 2 Scene 4 about the money? What does he respond?

6. What are some of the "oddities" Val tells Lady about himself?

7. Compare the characters Val and Sheriff Talbott. How are they alike? How are they different?

8. Describe the character of Uncle Pleasant. What does he look like? What does he say when he enters in Act 1?

9. How and why did Val end up in town?

10. Describe the character of Lady. How old is she? Who is she married to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of individuality versus repression in Orpheus Descending. Which characters are considered non-conventional? Which characters represent a conventional or repressed viewpoint?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concept of revenge as it applies to Orpheus Descending. Which characters want to enact revenge? Why? How? How is this symbolized in the play?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of Rebirth in Orpheus Descending. What symbols represent this theme? What motifs exemplify it? What imagery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 722 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample