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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 Paris's reaction to Elizabeth rant about what it feels like to be depressed?

2. What quote does Elizabeth use to describe how depression hits her?

3. What does Elizabeth say Harvard is full of?

4. What is the name of Elizabeth's friend at camp that she tries to explain her depression to?

5. What is Ruby chasing Elizabeth with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Elizabeth feel while describing her family situation to therapists in relation to her depression?

2. How does Elizabeth feel when she gets on the phone with her father and what do they argue about?

3. What phrase does Elizabeth would say would have described her perfectly before she "cracked up?"

4. Why does Elizabeth love taking Ecstasy?

5. Why does Elizabeth wish she had a real ailment or drug addiction instead of depression?

6. How does physical contact with Abel make Elizabeth feel?

7. What makes Dr. Saltenstahl different from many of Elizabeth's other psychologists?

8. What is Graves' disease?

9. How does Elizabeth end up on the bathroom floor covered in black chiffon sobbing?

10. What does Elizabeth consider her father's first and last act of paternal authority?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Rafe and Elizabeth's relationship worked as well as it did for a time? Explain why their relationship worked due to Rafe's personal family history and how it fit in with Elizabeth's mental state.

Essay Topic 2

Wurtzel begins the novel with a quote from Marguerite Duras' "The Lover" which reads, "Very early in my life it was too late." Why do you think this quote was chosen by Wurtzel? What significance does it have and how does it set the tone for the novel from the start?

Essay Topic 3

Elizabeth's writing style in the book is unusual. She will jump from a standard font to an italicized one. What impact does this have for the reader? Does it change the tone of the novel? Why or why not? What contribution does it make for the overall story? Does it encourage the reader to relate more to Elizabeth or feel more disconnected from her? Use specific examples from the novel to support your statements.

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