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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 tell Dick to do?

2. What does May tell Dick he should fix first after the hurricane?

3. What is the name given to Dick's new boat?

4. Dick decides that if something had to be damaged in the storm he would prefer it to be _________________.

5. What about Elsie seems to confuse Dick?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dick continue to feel instability on land, especially after discovering Marie having sex with Parker?

2. Explain the three forces with which Dick battles during the hurricane.

3. How does the weather reflect the state of Dick and May's relationship?

4. How do Dick's conflicted feelings about Parker continue to exhibit in Chapter 44?

5. How does Schuyler's documentary put Dick in an unfavorable light?

6. Explain how the author uses the technique of flashbacks in Chapter 50.

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

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

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

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

The role of women is a main topic addressed in this story. Explain the theme that extends through all the female characters. What is the presumed role of women in America during the 1980s? Explain by giving examples.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the ongoing conflict between Dick and Parker. What is the source of the conflict? Why does it perpetuate?

Essay Topic 3

he author uses more than one iteration on the theme of hope. Identify at least two themes about hope in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

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