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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. Claire's male counterparts referred to the writer as being ____.

2. Ourika was forced to derive her value from her _____.

3. Ourika suffers from which of the following?

4. What is the surname of Claire's husband?

5. Modern book shops treat the buying and selling of books as a ____ science.

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the Black Code? How did it affect slavery in France?

2. What major events took place while Claire was living in England? How and when did Claire meet her husband? What was his background?

3. What happened to Ourika when she left Senegal? Who took care of her?

4. Who was Claire de Duras? What was her background?

5. What type of struggle did Claire have when deciding to publish her work for the first time?

6. What does John Fowles say about the way he learned to love literature?

7. What does Duras' depiction of Ourika tend to continue to be important regarding race and feminism?

8. What about Mr. Norman's bookstore was the most exciting to Fowles?

9. Whet does the doctor see when he enters the garden to see Ourika? What is the doctor's first impression of Ourika?

10. What is Ourika's final "decision" when it comes to understanding and accepting her heritage as a black woman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The introduction discusses the non-publication of de Duras' books. "Ourika" was published in a limited private edition in 1823 with "Edouard" being published in a similar format two years later. Aside from Ourika, the first novel, and Edouard, one of de Duras' other books, there were three that were never published. Why? What do you think caused Ourika to refuse to publish the books, either publicly or privately? Do you think de Duras was intimidated by the men that were technically her equals or subordinates? Explain. Why do you think the books were never published posthumously? Do you think de Duras' books would have an audience today?

Essay Topic 2

Write a short story or essay on what might have happened if the French Revolution had never occurred. What might have happened to the structure of France? How would it have affected the characters? Did the Revolution have any effect on the Black Code and the issues of slavery in France? Explain. Also, explain how the Revolution affected the structure of the aristocracy, including Mme. de B.'s connections to them and how that may have changed as well.

Essay Topic 3

What might Ourika be like in today's society? Would she suffer from the same debilitating melancholia? Do you think she would have been put on medication? Do you think Ourika would have taken vows to become a nun? How would the relationships between Ourika, Mme. de B. and Charles be different? What might Ourika undertake as a profession? Explain your choices and thoughts in detail.

(see the answer keys)

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