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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 prompts Lutie to recognize the dirt and grime in her apartment?

2. What is the reader able to gather from Jones' disjointed thoughts as he rages about his encounter with Lutie and Mrs. Hedges?

3. What does Mrs. Hedges recall when Lutie leaves her apartment?

4. Why wasn't Mrs. Hedges arrested when Jones reported her activities to the police?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Unfortunately, Bub's demise can be directly tied to Lutie. Despite her many attempts to keep Bub safe, she is actually the bait used to trap him. What message is the author trying to reveal with this fact?

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

4. Explain why Junto and Boots feel that they can discuss Lutie's future and disregard her hopes without her consent.

5. Jones realizes that Min has left in Chapter 16. He notes how empty his apartment feels and is especially disturbed by the absence of the table. Why is Jones' reaction ironic?

6. What does Boots' ultimate decision to obey Junto's request to leave Lutie alone say about his character?

7. Throughout the book, Mrs. Hedges has been painted as a negative personality by both Jones and Lutie. On the other hand, Min and Junto regard her highly. Which perception would the author like the reader to trust?

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. What likely drew Junto to Mrs. Hedges?

10. Boots hesitates before conceding to Junto's request that Lutie be left alone. What might that slight hesitation suggest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Min is a fairly docile character. Even though her mind is hard at work, she rarely voices an opinion, even about her own treatment. She juxtaposes other women who are quite different in nature. Mrs. Hedges is overtly vocal about what she thinks--giving unwarranted advice at times. Lutie may not always condemn things aloud, but she does not stand for them and will respond with some sort of action. In your opinion, which of the three characters best handles life? Whose approach has brought the most freedom? In contrast, which character's life choices have resulted in a less than desirable life? Support your ideas with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

While Boots can certainly be considered a shady character, he has done far less to harm Lutie than either Jones or Junto. Why then do you believe it is Boots who Lutie ends up harming? Do you think this was a deliberate act on the part of the author? If so, what point was she trying to make? Did she succeed in making it?

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