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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 genre of play is "Private Lives?"
2. To whom does this statement refer? "I can't bear to think I'm married to such rugged grandeur."
3. Why do Amanda and Elyot choose to flee to Amanda's flat?
4. What does Elyot tell Amanda before he tries to leave the terrace?
5. Which character says, "Love is no use unless it's wise, and kind, and undramatic?"
Short Essay Questions
1. When Elyot implores Sibyl that they must leave the hotel, Sibyl is uncharacteristically firm and stubborn about staying. What happened throughout the act that may have given her more of a backbone?
2. What does Elyot mean when he claims that he and Amanda were too in love for their relationship to last?
3. Why do Amanda and Elyot choose Paris to run away to?
4. Why do Elyot and Amanda both lie to their spouses about the reasons they should leave the hotel instead of just telling the truth?
5. When discussing the possibility of getting a sunburn, Amanda remarks to Victor, "I did so hope our honeymoon was going to be progressive" in response to his declaration that he could not love her anymore than he already does. What does this statement portend about Amanda's views on relationships, particularly her marriage to Victor?
6. To Sibyl's dismay, Elyot does not care for her mother and believes that Sibyl married him in part to escape her. What do the differing attitudes about the mother reveal about Sibyl's character?
7. Why would Victor say to Amanda that she was frightening him?
8. At the start of the play, is Elyot in love with Sibyl? How can the reader tell?
9. What does Elyot's pastime of traveling the world imply about his character?
10. Why does Sibyl keep asking Elyot about Amanda?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Is it important that these characters are rich and upper-class? How would this play have changed if Amanda and Elyot were not as rich as they are written? Is the glamor and sophistication absolutely necessary? How does it affect the fights? Do you believe that this is meant to be a statement on the behaviors of the upper-class? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
Elyot tells Victor that there is no point in fighting each other, as it never solves anything. However, Elyot and Amanda had, just the night before, fought each other violently. Why does Elyot believe that fighting Victor is pointless, but still fights with Amanda? For example, is it a matter of respect, love, or cowardice? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.
Essay Topic 3
Could there be any social repercussions from having domestic violence shown in an amusing light? What would happen if Elyot slapping Amanda did not lead to humorous results? How is a woman being slapped funny in this context? If you do not find it funny, then what would realistically happen if Amanda and Elyot were to really fight that way? Is it ever alright to use this for comedy? You may cite examples from other movies, plays, or books to support your answer, but make sure to use it alongside the text of the play.
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This section contains 1,511 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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