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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 does Dr. Barrow suggest that Ann does when Jim becomes semi-conscious?

2. Who called Ann earlier in the day?

3. When were Jim and Ann supposed to meet?

4. Who is George O'Brien?

5. Who is Miss Cardell?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a shrike and why did the author choose it for the title of the play?

2. Who is Tom and what is the purpose for his visit in Act 3, Scene 3?

3. How do the nurses interact with the patients in the beginning of the play and what does that illustrate?

4. What do Grosberg and Mr. Fleming reveal to Jim that surprises him, and how does it reflect a larger issue in the hospital?

5. What do the actions of the other patients in Act 2, Scene 5 indicate?

6. How is Jim brought into the hospital and what is the reason he is there?

7. What does Tom say about Ann's family and how is this another example of her control over him?

8. What happens at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 3 that shocks Jim?

9. How is Ann acting in Act 1, Scene 2, and what indication does she give the doctors about her intentions?

10. How does the author use the scenery to match Jim's mood in the beginning of Act 1, Scene 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry visits Jim and provides a suggestion that leads to Jim's release from the hospital.

1) Describe Harry and his character traits in detail. How are they different than Jim's? In what way does Harry's priorities dictate his actions and cause him to become weaker?

2) What can Harry do to help Jim? Why does he instead choose to see his brother suffer? Which characteristics of Harry prevent him from standing up to Ann?

3) What is the plan that Harry suggests to Jim and why does the author choose him to introduce it? Why has Jim not thought of this before?

Essay Topic 2

The staff at the hospital played a necessary role in Jim's stay, state of mind, and actions.

1) Describe the characters you think were the most influential in Jim's hospital stay, how they were depicted, and the ways they affected Jim's actions.

2) Which scenes that included Jim's interactions with the hospital staff were the most important to the plot? Explain the specific part of the scenes and how they were significant to the play.

3) Why do you think there were so many different doctors and attendants that interacted with Jim? What does that display for the hospital's role in the play? Why is this effective in leading to the eventual outcome?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the difference in Jim's mood and behavior in the beginning of the play with how it changes throughout the events that take place. Include what causes the change and whether or not you think it is justified. Use the book as a reference and provide examples for your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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