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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. At the vaudeville house, Helga feels

2. Helga is tired of black people

3. Helga feels that at Naxos she is

4. Helga is disturbed by her euphoric feelings from the music, telling herself

5. Helga found her job with the help of

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Helga's lack of references hurt her job search? Why does she have no references?

2. Why does Helga feel free on the ship on her way to Denmark? Does being isolated in the middle of the ocean have any effect on her? If so, what?

3. Why does Anne begin avoiding Helga? Has something come between them? What is it?

4. Something about Anne has begun to wear on Helga. What is it? Is Helga's irritability justified? Why?

5. Why does Helga decide to marry Reverend Green? Does her decision make any sense? Is she not concerned about the reactions of others?

6. Devastated over losing what she secretly hoped would develop into an affair with Anderson, Helga's depression returns. Discuss the worship service that she happens upon, and its symbolism.

7. What does Axel Olsen's portrait of Helga symbolize? Is the portrait important to the story? Why or why not?

8. Is it clear whether Helga is liked by her peers or colleagues? If so, is it genuine? Is Helga a likable person?

9. How does Larsen tell us that Helga is irreparably damaged from her childhood? Helga does not complain much - how do we know that she carries old wounds?

10. Why did Uncle Peter's wife reject Helga? Is she an unreasonable woman? Is she cruel? Explain your answers.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Hugh Wentworth? What is his role in Larsen's writing? Do a close review of both stories and determine why Larsen includes Wentworth as a character. Is he simply a literary device for her? What does he represent?

Essay Topic 2

Write an in-depth essay on Dr. Robert Anderson. There are many things about him which attract and repel Helga. What is his role in Helga's life in Quicksand? What does he represent to her? Is there anything about him that would make him more attractive to Helga than the average man? Why does Larsen include him?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Helga Crane with Clare Kendry, then expand on the theme of these two stories. How are the two stories alike? How are they different? Compare Helga Crane with Irene Redfield, and then with Clare Kendry. Between which of the two is she most like?

(see the answer keys)

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