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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the trait of Clare's that gossipers have mentioned to Irene?
(a) Clare's vulnerability.
(b) Clare's gregarious nature.
(c) Clare's having way.
(d) Clare's standoffishness.

2. What did Clare's aunts do to her?
(a) Forced her to learn to cook.
(b) Tortured her with religion.
(c) Used her father against her.
(d) Made her care for them in their old age.

3. At the tea, Irene is
(a) Unusually chatty.
(b) Preoccupied with her children.
(c) Clearly tired of Hugh Wentworth.
(d) Her usual charming self.

4. Clare is very
(a) Threatening and belligerent.
(b) Maternal and kind.
(c) Generous and gregarious.
(d) Self-focused and manipulative.

5. Helga chooses to remain
(a) In her unhappy situation.
(b) In Alabama with her beloved husband.
(c) Bedridden for as long as she can.
(d) A servant of God.

Short Answer Questions

1. Soon after Helga is well enough to be out of bed

2. Irene Redfield does not

3. Irene has a bad moment during the social event wherein she

4. Clare is upset that she will have to leave New York to

5. For more than a week, Helga remains in a state of

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how giving birth to her fourth child seems to be Helga's breaking point. Why does this happen? What does the death of her infant symbolize?

2. Why do you suppose Clare is pushing herself so rigorously to get involved in Irene's life? Why has she not chosen, for instance, Gertrude, to reacquaint her with the black culture? What is the particular attraction to Irene?

3. After two years pass, Clare again wants to become involved in Irene's life. Is Irene's reaction negative or positive? Explain her reaction.

4. Is there anything we can deduce about Irene's response to Clare's letter without knowing the whole story? If so, what are they?

5. What is your initial assessment of Clare Kendry? Do we know enough about her in these first two chapters to draw any conclusions about her? If so, what would they be?

6. Discuss Helga's new exuberance as the wife of a minister.

7. What is odd about the initial meeting among Irene, Gertrude and Clare? Are these conversations typical among women friends? What, if anything, makes the visit among the three women unusual?

8. What role, if any, does Clare's husband play in the story so far? Is he a comforting presence? Why, or why not? Is he a likable character?

9. What do we learn about the marriage of Irene and Brian Redfield in this chapter? Is it healthy? Is it durable? Why, or why not?

10. Speculate on why Clare is silent at the Redfield dinner table, but talkative and gregarious a parties with others. Does she have a split personality, or is she just shy at the Redfields'? How does Larsen let on what is going on without saying it?

(see the answer keys)

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