View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How is Félicité's stance described?
(a) Limping.
(b) Weak.
(c) Upright.
(d) Hunched.

2. What is unusual about the children's beds?
(a) The mattresses are removed.
(b) They are huge.
(c) They are propped up against the wall.
(d) They don't have beds.

3. What does Mme. Aubain think of Félicité's family?
(a) They are kind.
(b) They take advantage of her.
(c) They are cruel.
(d) She is embarassed by their poverty.

4. Where is Trouville situated in the landscape?
(a) At the top of a mountain.
(b) At the bottom of a hill.
(c) Deep in a valley,
(d) In the plains.

5. Where does Félicité sleep?
(a) On the sofa.
(b) Outside.
(c) In her arm chair.
(d) In her room.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Virginie make the journey to Tocqueville?

2. What does the family do when it is particularly hot in Trouville?

3. The narrator describes Félicité as being made out of what material?

4. What new activity do Félicité and Virginie begin at Christmas time?

5. Which relative of Mme. Aubain's frequently comes to visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think the narrator conceals the real cause of Loulou's death?

2. How is it significant that the parrot is being eaten by maggots, but Félicité neither knows nor cares?

3. Explain the irony of Félicité's dismissal from her first job.

4. Do you think that Félicité's final vision is religious or delusional? Does it matter?

5. What is your impression of Mme. Simon?

6. Describe the scene with the bull and explain why you think it is important.

7. How do Mme. Aubain and Félicité's reactions to Virginie's departure differ from each other?

8. To what extent would you say that this story is about Félicité? What do you think Flaubert wanted to say by writing a short story about a person like Félicité?

9. What do we learn about Félicité's eating habits and what do they tell us about her character?

10. What is the irony of Félicité's long search for Loulou?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,583 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample