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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. When Tony hands the letter to his mother, what does Constance do?

2. How does Mrs. Hardcastle show her blind love of her son, Tony?

3. What does Marlow say that Kate overhears?

4. Who enters while Kate is struggling to get her hand away from Marlow?

5. What is Marlow's complaint as he enters the room and finds Kate?

Short Essay Questions

1. There is a great deal of shouting at one another about Tony's latest deception. What does Tony say that Mr. Hardcastle has to agree with?

2. What immediate plans do Hastings and Constance make after he tells her Tony has given him the jewels?

3. How does Mrs. Hardcastle react when she reads the real note?

4. Explain how Constance knows Sir Charles is coming for a visit and Hastings' reaction to the news.

5. What is young Marlow's purpose in seeking out Mr. Hardcastle before he leaves the house?

6. What argument does Kate use to calm her father down.

7. How does Constance attempt to stop Mrs. Hardcastle from reading the note?

8. What is going on between Mr. Hardcastle and Sir Charles as they come into the room after Mrs. Hardcastle has left with Constance?

9. How does Hardcastle respond to Kate's hope that he will forgive Marlow?

10. While the three of them--Mrs. Hardcastle, Tony, and Constance--are talking, what is the unexpected turn of events?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From the old adage, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive," write a paper on the way lies keep complicating the plot of SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Use the lies and deceptions on the character of Marlow to address your point. Discuss how there might have been another way to handle Marlow by telling him the truth and asking his help in the elopement. Notice how Hastings' insistence on maintaining the prank is based on his assumption of how Marlow would react to the truth.

Essay Topic 2

Pretend you are a writer for an 18th-century newspaper and write a critique of Mr. Goldsmith's play. In your critique be sure to mention Goldsmith's departure from the sentimental comedy of his day. Note the passages in the play that would border on the scandalous in his time. Discuss the continuity of the play and the use of subplots. Detail your opinion about the believability of the characters.

Essay Topic 3

In the 18th century, women, especially unmarried women, had almost no civil rights. Using Miss Neville as an example, explain how she had almost no control over her own affairs. Also, explain why Mrs. Hardcastle came to be her guardian and have control over her inheritance. Explain why Mr. Hardcastle had nothing to do with Miss Neville's situation. Contrast Tony's situation to Miss Neville's. His mother controlled his inheritance, but he had the promise of getting out from under that control even without marrying. What is the difference?

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