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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 mode of transportation did Philip take to arrive home sooner than expected?

2. What quality of Philip has served as the backdrop for the tumultuous lives of his family?

3. What is John trying to find out about Mollie?

4. What does Paris dream of at the beginning of the play?

5. What quality does John have that Philip does not that keeps John on a steady path?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the play take place?

2. How does Philip talk and feel about love and nature now?

3. What do Mother Lovejoy and Sister subtlety attempt to sway Mollie into doing?

4. What is Paris's reaction to the fact that his mother picked up a stranger off the side of the road and that John has fallen for her?

5. How does Mollie believe Philip died?

6. What becomes clear to be the main reason Philip wants to take Paris with him?

7. Why are men attracted to Mollie and not attracted to Sister?

8. How does Hattie react to seeing Philip back home for the first time?

9. What happens as a result of Philip's outburst of violence?

10. What happened while Philip was away that affected Paris's emotions and needs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between Paris and John Tucker. In what was is John becoming a father figure to Paris? In what ways is John different from Philip in his fathering techniques? In what ways is Philip different from John when it comes to fostering Paris's emotional well being. Is John's influence enough to sustain Paris or is Philip's presence necessary to his raising? Use textual evidence to support your findings.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of success. Provide a definition and include the examples of powerful and successful people in history. Then, using this base, discuss how Philip' emotional health may have been affected by his success, and then his lack thereof. How has success served him, and how has it hindered his relationships? Include textual references in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the confusion of the character of Mollie in terms of the decision she must make between John and Philip. Why is she is love with John? What does John provide that Philip does not? In what ways is Philip a perfect match for her? In what ways is Philip the wrong person for her to re-marry? Finally, how will her decision affect Paris?

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This section contains 730 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample