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

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

3. What does Jabe do to summon Lady upstairs?

4. What does Dolly say about Jabe's appearance after he goes upstairs?

5. Who enters the archway between the store and confectionery in the beginning of Act 1 Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Town Women remark about Jabe to his face? What do they say behind his back?

2. What sounds indicate that Val is murdered? How?

3. Explain Vee's feelings about painting.

4. What does Val say about questions and waiting for answers in Act 2?

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

6. Why did the woman call to complain about Val? What really happened?

7. Describe the interaction between Val and Sheriff Talbott in Act 3, Scene 2 when he enters to find Val and Vee together.

8. What does Carol say you do after "jooking?"

9. What does Talbott tell Val before he leaves in Act 3, Scene 2?

10. What does Jabe remark that takes Lady by surprise in Act 3, Scene 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of the Conjure Man in Orpheus Descending. What does he represent? Why is the the last person we see in this play?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the use of snake and reptile imagery in the play. What does Carol's last line mean? Paraphrase this line in your answer and describe how it relates to Val.

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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