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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 Lutie plan to do after the situation with the postal investigators and Bub is resolved?

2. What does Jones believe will make him "go to pieces"?

3. According to Min, how does last winter's sky compare to this winter's sky?

4. After telling Lutie about Junto's proposition, what instructions does Boots give Junto when asking him to leave the apartment?

5. Why does Boots decide against killing Jubilee?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bub's initial refusal to participate in the mail scheme reflect his character and his mother's expectations?

2. Though Min has left Jones at the end of Chapter 15, she still has thoughts of her inadequacy. What does her insinuating conversation with the pushcart man lead the reader to believe?

3. Analyze Mrs. Hedges' state of mind.

4. Jones is under the impression that Lutie would not have reacted so negatively to his advances if Min had not let the dog out. Is this an accurate assumption on Jones' part? Explain.

5. In Chapter 16, Bub is taken into custody by the post-office investigators. How does this fact impact Lutie's feelings about The Street?

6. Chapter 18 ends tragically when Lutie repeatedly strikes Boots in the head with a candlestick. What does the author intend for Boots to represent? Why does Lutie feel compelled to strike him so many times?

7. In Chapter 17, Lutie is going to visit Bub at the Children's Shelter. The day is dark and grim. How has the author used the weather to supplement the telling of this story? How does the author's decision to use weather to supplement a story's telling impact the reader?

8. It is both Lutie's presence and her absence that allows Jones to get a hold of Bub. Explain how this is possible.

9. In Chapter 13, Lutie is yet again propositioned. She's presented with the opportunity to receive free singing lessons if she'd just allow Mr. Crosse to see her a couple of times a week. Lutie refuses. What drives Lutie's determination not to exchange her body for personal advancement?

10. At the close of Chapter 17, Lutie is desperate to escape the silence that seems to escape her. Throughout the book, Lutie seeks refuge from silence. Why does silence represent such a problem for Lutie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In three or more paragraphs analyze the purpose of the following characters: Mrs. Hedges, Min, and Junto. Remember to consider their purpose in conjunction with the novel's theme. Once you've analyzed their purpose, comment on their effectiveness as characters. Has the author accomplished her goal with them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The novel's title - The Street - indicates a sense of generality. The book is not given the name of a specific street. Still, it's clear that The Street is not just ANY street. In an essay, explain the loaded nature of the book's title. Be sure to address the author's decision to assign such a vague name while addressing a specific setting. Use details from the text to support your ideas.

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