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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. Why would Valerie stand in front of Walter after slow dancing?

2. Where did Daniel's ex-wife work?

3. What gives Inda a wild appearance?

4. Which part of Valerie's body feels too light?

5. Why does Inda push Valerie onto the rug?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Inda worried?

2. How close are Valerie and Inda?

3. How do Valerie and Daniel say good-bye?

4. Why does Valerie decide to have an affair?

5. Why is Chiquita arguing with the man outside her bathroom?

6. What happens when Inda runs into Chiquita again?

7. Why is Chiquita insecure?

8. What makes Chiquita nervous?

9. What leads Inda to decide to meet Wiley?

10. Do the women blame each other?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the book and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

Essay Topic 2

If the book were made into a film, how would Dickey's style of narrative be reflected in film? Would the book make a good film?

Essay Topic 3

Compare the differences between Valerie, Inda and Chiquita. How different are their lives and what choices may have affected this? What are their strengths and weaknesses as individuals? In what way are their relationships used to develop the themes of the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample