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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. In what room in Edna's house does Maugham steal an invitation?

2. Why does Maugham think that Elliott cannot stop going to parties?

3. How many years have Gray and Isabel spent in Paris?

4. What does Maugham do while Isabel cries?

5. What does Sophie say she drinks in Isabel's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Elliott so upset at not being invited to Edna's party?

2. What is the story of Sophie's disappearance?

3. What does Elliot leave to the main characters in his will?

4. How does Maugham obtain an invitation?

5. How does the reader know that Isabel is still in love with Larry?

6. Why does Larry say he has had trouble believing in Christianity?

7. What is Maugham's opinion of Isabel's character?

8. What does Elliott say in answer to Edna's invitation?

9. In what way does Maugham criticize the church?

10. In what way has Elliot changed from the last time Maugham saw him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Maugham's life. In what way do you think his life and personality are reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the following statement: "The Razor's Edge fails because it examines the effects of the First World War from too privileged a viewpoint." Using two examples from the book argue for or against the statement.

Essay Topic 3

In 1984, The Razor's Edge was made into a famous film noir film starring Bill Murray. Why do you think the themes and ideas in the book were still relevant forty years later? Do you think the ideas are timeless and universal? Why do you think, in the film, Larry went to Tibet and not India?

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