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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 Hakim's?

2. Why is opium easier to get in Toulouse?

3. What does Maugham realize when he looks back at the book?

4. What is the name of Elliott's manservant?

5. Why does Isabel plant the vodka?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Isabel leave the vodka to tempt Sophie?

2. How does Maugham obtain an invitation?

3. Describe the cafe in which Maugham and Larry drink?

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

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

6. Do you think there is anything suspicious about the incident with the vodka?

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

8. Explain what Larry sees and feels when he experiences the Absolute?

9. How does Sophie give in to temptation?

10. What is Isabel's terrible news?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Razor's Edge is part of the philosophical genre.

1) What are the conventions of the The Razor's Edge genre in terms of character, language and plot?

2) In what way did The Razor's Edge help to set the template for similar novels? Do modern novels still use the ideas used in The Razor's Edge?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Maugham's dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

Essay Topic 3

The Razor's Edge is a famous book which has greatly influenced modern literature. Choose a book written after The Razor's Edge that you think was influenced by the novel and discuss there similarities in terms of

a) plot

b) character

c) themes

(see the answer keys)

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