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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 is the only thing Harriet likes about William?

2. What does Hetty think Harriet should encourage William to do?

3. What kind of mood does William say Harriet is in?

4. What is the name of John's wife?

5. What does Hetty say she does while Harriet plays the role of society woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is John's alter ego, Jack, in shock when he first appears?

2. How does Margaret react to seeing John and Harriet kissing?

3. Why does John stop listening to Margaret?

4. Why does John hate his job at the art gallery?

5. Why does Hetty say she is the one who has suffered in Harriet's marriage to William?

6. What do Margaret and Harriet's alter egos say to each other when they first meet in the opening scene?

7. How do Margaret and John almost get caught up in their lies in the opening act?

8. What does the willow tree in John's portrait indicate to Harriet?

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

10. How does Gesternberg symbolize John as a starving artist?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Aside from the main characters, examine the way the author uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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