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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 is Dr. Hugh's reaction to Dencombe's book?

2. What do Dencombe and Dr. Hugh assume about each other before they have met?

3. What does Dencombe feel about his writing career?

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

5. What does James say fiction must be, above all?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Marcher realize when May Bartram dies?

4. Describe Marcher's lifestyle.

5. Describe Spencer Brydon's encounter with his alter ego.

6. What is the significance of the setting in 'The Middle Years'?

7. What is the difference between the doctor's relationship with Dencombe and his relationship with the Countess?

8. How does James address the formal rules prescribed for fiction?

9. What is Marcher's realization at the end of 'The Beast in the Jungle'?

10. What part does the telegraph operator play in the affair between Lady Bradeen and Captain Everard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an evaluation of 'The Tales of Henry James.' What is this book's place in our culture? What are its uses? Who is its audience? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Henry James' feelings about the friendship and possible homosexual relationship between men. How does he characterize this relationship, and what is its status compared with other kinds of relationships and friendships?

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