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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 sounds are heard offstage during Act 1, Scene 2?

2. What is the first topic of conversation in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. Who does Madame Desmortes question about Isabelle?

4. Lady India is a cousin to whom?

5. After Frederic and Diana exit the stage in the first scene, who enters?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hugo blackmail Patrice, and what does he want Patrice to do?

2. Why does Madame Desmortes question Romainville about Isabelle's lineage, and what answer does she receive?

3. What impression does Hugo want to give the guests at the ball regarding his feelings and Isabelle's feelings?

4. What romantic intrigue does Capulet reveal to Madame Desmortes?

5. What information do Hugo and Capulet discuss with Madame Desmortes in Act 1, Scene 1, regarding Messerschmann?

6. What does Madame Desmortes say to Romainville when she enters the conservatory following the conversation between Hugo and Romainville? What does Romainville do in response?

7. What does Messerschmann vow to do to help his daughter?

8. Why does Messerschmann ask Joshua to keep his new wealth a secret, and how does this further the theme of the play?

9. What does Isabelle say to Frederic after her fight with Diana when she thinks he is Hugo? What is the result of her confusion?

10. What does Joshua tell Isabelle after she and Messerschmann tear up his money?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the Biblical story of Samson? Is Messerschmann's comparison of himself with Samson an apt one? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Why do both Hugo and Lady India fall in love (or rather, fall more deeply in love) with their romantic partners after they become poor? What does this indicate about their characters and about the playwright's message regarding the value of money?

Essay Topic 3

What is a conservatory, as it exists in the mansion of Madame Desmortes? Why does the playwright choose to have the entire play take place in the conservatory, rather than allowing for a change of scene? Why does none of the action take place in the ballroom itself?

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This section contains 779 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample