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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 May do after Dick tells her about the baby?

2. Elsie says Schuyler is happy because ______________________.

3. What is Eddie concerned about after being with Dick?

4. Which of the following does Dick NOT battle with in Chapter 36?

5. Why is Dick going to Elsie's?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the irony of the value of the books Miss Perry gave to Dick and his sons?

2. How does the damage done to Dick's house mirror the damage to himself?

3. Describe the climax of the story as Dick's new boat is christened and launched.

4. What does Dick tell Elsie that he expects May's reaction will be when he reveals his infidelity?

5. What is May's response to Dick when he tells her about his affair with Elsie?

6. How does the strain of Dick's infidelity begin to weigh on his mind?

7. What news does Elsie tell Dick about her life and how things are surprisingly working out to her benefit?

8. How does Elsie interpret Dick's comment that they are similar to Marie and Parker?

9. How does Elsie's refusal to have sex again with Dick signal an attempt to help him break a destructive pattern?

10. How does Dick feel himself becoming more like the people he used to hate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Neptune. What is its role in the community? Is it typical of establishments in small towns in America?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Elsie. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several instances of flashbacks in the story. Explain what a flashback is and cite at least two making sure to explain what makes each a flashback?

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