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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. Where did Vee let Val sleep the night before in Act 1 Scene 1?

2. What does Vee say she's been doing for ten hours straight in Act 1 Scene 1?

3. Whose family name is the oldest and most distinguished in the county?

4. How many places in New Orleans does Carol say she followed Val?

5. What do the Town Women say to Jabe when he arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Carol. What does she wear? How old is she?

2. Who does Carol make a phone call to in Act 1 Scene 1? Why?

3. What story does Beulah tell about Lady's father?

4. What does Jabe look at when he comes downstairs in Act, 3 Scene 1? What is his response?

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

6. What have the Town Women gone upstairs in Lady and Jabe's house for? What do they remark about it?

7. Why does Lady feel disappointed in Val in Act 2 Scene 3? Why does he feel disappointed in her?

8. Why have the women come to the store in the beginning of the play?

9. How does Val believe human beings used to connect? How does he feel now?

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 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 2

Discuss how Orpheus Descending retells the legend of the demigod Orpheus. What similarities do the stories share? How do they differ?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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