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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. Where does Dencombe feel he is in his life?

2. What is Miss Staverton's relationship with Spencer Brydon?

3. What does Dencombe feel about his future?

4. Where does the main character stroll past on her way home?

5. How does James characterize Spencer Brydon's lifestyle all these years?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the tragedy of 'The Middle Years'?

3. Where is 'In the Cage' set?

4. How does Spencer Brydon react to the changes that took place in New York over the last 33 years?

5. Describe the meeting of Captain Everard and the telegraph operator.

6. What is unique about the narration of 'In the Cage'?

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

8. What did James study before he took to writing, and how did this influence his writing?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What makes Henry James an American author?

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