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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 John say he would prefer to be doing?

2. What does Maggie represent?

3. Who does Hetty say is the only person Harriet wants to look beautiful for?

4. Who does Hetty think can read her thoughts?

5. What does Margaret come into the bathroom to retrieve?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does John stop listening to Margaret?

2. How does Margaret help John in the final section?

3. Why is Harriet married to William?

4. How does Margaret prove a problem as John paints Harriet?

5. What does John make William see in the final chapter?

6. What do Margaret and Hetty vow to each other before they leave?

7. Why does Margaret stop John from eating the fruit in the bowl?

8. How does Harriet persuade Margaret to leave the apartment?

9. What does Harriet say to her alter ego, Hetty?

10. What does John tell Mr. Brush would help him paint better?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what way do the characters' alter egos represent their true selves? What do you think would happen if one of the characters spoke out how they truly felt? How difficult is it to be your true self.

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

How does Gerstenberg use her characters to express a life beyond the locations? How is the location used to express elements such as theme and character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 628 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample