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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 Elizabeth studying at Harvard?

2. How much time passes before Elizabeth and Rafe talk again?

3. What does Elizabeth NOT compare madness to?

4. Who is Debi Thomas?

5. What is the name of Samantha's ex-boyfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Elizabeth finally learn her diagnosis now?

2. How do Manuel and Elizabeth finally get together?

3. What does Elizabeth's mother think Elizabeth should do to get better? What does Dr. Sterling suggest instead and why?

4. Why does Dr. Sterling give Elizabeth Mellaril, the antipsychotic known to help schizophrenics?

5. What does Elizabeth find ironic about her decision to find a new psychologist?

6. Why does Elizabeth refuse to appear on the Oprah! show?

7. How do the doctors react when Elizabeth is brought into the hospital covered in blood?

8. Why does Dr. Sterling give Elizabeth Xanax instead of an antidepressant, which she believes is more appropriate for her issues?

9. What does Elizabeth's Space, Time and Motion class become symbolic of?

10. Elizabeth is finally diagnosed with atypical depression. Describe what this disease is.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you believe Elizabeth uses hyperbole in her novel? Why or why not? Use three specific examples from the novel to support your theory. What impact does this have for the reader of the novel?

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

Explain Elizabeth's diagnosis as having atypical depresion. Review her diagnosis against her actions in the book. Name three specific examples that explain her behavior in relation to her mental illness.

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