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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 Thomasina's reaction when she sees Avey packed and waiting to leave?

2. What position is Jay able to secure after he attains his college degree?

3. What is Avey's husband's formal name?

4. How does Avey approach Jay on the question of infidelity?

5. Which culture is Avey reminded of when she sees her hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Avey try to sort out the mess she seems to be in at the harbor?

2. Who is Clarice and how does she react to Avey's wanting to leave the cruise?

3. What were Avey's daughters' opinions of Avey going on the Caribbean cruise?

4. Why does Avey feel guilty about reminiscing about the days spent at the Halsey Street apartment?

5. How does Avey recall the changes that turned Jay into Jerome?

6. Whose transformation begins in Chapter 3 after Avey and Jay's big fight?

7. How did Jay and Avey's life begin to take a turn for the better?

8. Who is the main character of the story and what is she doing as the novel opens?

9. What visions does Avey have during the night she spends at the hotel?

10. What is the significance of the peach parfait for Avey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marshall is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Marshall's use of regionalism in the novel. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where she did.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

(see the answer keys)

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