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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 disappointing news does the main character find out about Captain Everard?

2. What does John Marcher realize about the event he was waiting for?

3. What does the main character plan to do, when she is disappointed by Captain Everard?

4. Why does John Marcher think he was invited along?

5. Who is the main character?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Dencombe's feelings about his own work.

2. Where had John Marcher and May Bartram met previously, and what had happened then?

3. What happens to bring May Bartram and John Marcher into closer friendship?

4. What does Marcher realize when May Bartram dies?

5. What effect does the affair of Lady Bradeen and Captain Everard have on the telegraph operator?

6. Who is Dr. Hugh?

7. Where do John Marcher and May Bartram meet in 'The Beast in the Jungle'?

8. How does James address the superstition that fiction is diabolical?

9. What does Dencombe realize in the end of 'The Middle Years'?

10. Describe the meeting between Dencombe and Dr. Hugh.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Evaluate your own reading of 'The Tales of Henry James.' Did you resist it, or were you compelled by the story? What does your reading tell you about yourself and your interests? Use specific examples from the book to describe yourself as a reader.

Essay Topic 2

How does James' stories describe the difference between America and Europe? What does each civilization stand for? How are they distinguished? What kind of drama is created when they come into conflict?

Essay Topic 3

James' stories sometimes delve into hidden psychological motives and urges. How does James represent things that cannot be seen or felt, but are real to the characters? Does he use symbolism, personification, fantasy, metaphor? What other methods does he use to present the uncanny self inside the self?

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This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample