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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 Philip have the most difficult time controlling about himself?

2. In the past, what did those who loved Philip tend to do immediately following an outburst of violence or anger?

3. What does Philip want more than anything else after he returns from the sanatorium?

4. Who is Mollie comforting at the beginning of the play?

5. What gift does Philip give Paris for his forgotten birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Philip apologize to Paris about during their talk?

2. 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?

3. What time does Philip wake?

4. What happens when Mollie announces to Philip that she plans to leave with John?

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

6. What is John trying to figure out about the relationship between Mollie and Philip?

7. What does Philip learns has happened in regards to Mollie after his evening spent in anger and rage?

8. What does Paris's friend Hattie think of Philip?

9. What happens as a result of Philip returning, startling Mollie, and speaking of their relationship?

10. Describe the conversation that takes place between father and son when Philip returns home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the tone and mood of The Square Root of Wonderful. What does the authors attitude imply? Discuss the elements of pessimism, optimism, earnestness, bitterness, joy, and seriousness that are embedded in the play. Discuss the choice of objects, details, images, and words that contribute to the mood of a play. Explain your answer by using specific scenes and characters.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the time and setting of the play and how the setting has a direct impact on the characters. Name the historical prototypes that are used in the play and describe how the characters represent the time in history in which the play is set. Also, include an analysis of the farmhouse and how it relates to the plot of the play.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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