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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's wrong with Min's feet?

2. As she exists the train on her way to the butcher shop, how does Lutie account for many of her problems?

3. While washing her blouse and realizing Jones has been through her possessions, what is Lutie sure of?

4. How does The Casino appear when empty?

5. How did Mrs. Hedges once embarrass Jones?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Lutie's dream, she is the one being asked to "unloose" the neighborhood people. Why has Lutie has been given this charge in the dream?

2. While riding with Boots, Lutie comes to the conclusion that it would be better to be born with no brain than to understand everything you cannot reach. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

3. Chapter 2 provides Lutie with a valuable lesson: "Anybody could be rich if he wanted to and worked hard enough and figured it out carefully enough." Still, Lutie is often discouraged by the world around her. How does the external world affect Lutie's internal life?

4. Lutie secures the job at the Chandlers', but she is unable to share her joy with her husband. Why is this?

5. Jones becomes enraged when he looks at Bub and imagines that the boy resembles his father. Why do you think this is?

6. After reading Chapter 5, it is clear what motivates Min. Using the knowledge you've gained about Min, compare her to Lutie. How do the women differ? What characteristics do they share?

7. In Chapter 1, what idea does the author hope to represent with the shrinking canary, dog, and woman in Jones' apartment?

8. Chapter 2 introduces Mrs. Pizzini as the character who provides a letter of reference for Lutie. Mrs. Pizzini shares some advice with Lutie about the effects of working while raising a family: "It's best that the man do the work when the babies are young. And when the man is young. Not good for the woman to work when she's young. Not good for the man." Why does Lutie originally brush Mrs. Pizzini off and then later recall the advice over and over again?

9. Why does Lutie refuse to wear the blouse crushed by Jones?

10. Who does Lutie hold responsible for the end of her marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Up until the novel's end, Lutie can be heralded as a virtuous character. Then, she kills Boots. In an essay, chart Lutie's decline and go further to explain it. What is the author's message in the demise of her main and moral character?

Essay Topic 2

Beginning as far back as Chapter 1, Lutie demonstrates the capacity to wander in and out of reality. She often fantasizes about things that aren't there and even questions the reliability of her sight. In an essay, identify several instances that exemplify Lutie's tendency to fantasize. Does this tendency inform her ability to commit murder? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

At the book's end, Lutie makes the decision to abandon her son. In her mind, she will be of no use to Bub as a murderer. Bub, who has been the center of her concern for the entire book, is suddenly and seemingly dismissed. As a reader, was this an action you could have predicted? If so, which of Lutie's qualities led you to believe she was capable of this type of behavior? If not, do you think this behavior is believable? Has the author acted within the limits of the character's personality?

(see the answer keys)

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