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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. In "Enter Mona," how does Mona help Mary Ann?

2. Edgar thinks that Mrs. Madrigal __________ his pain.

3. When Mrs. Madrigal calls Edgar on Mona's behalf, how does Edgar react?

4. Mrs. Madrigal reminds Mona that she has lived at Barbary Lane for how long?

5. After being propositioned at a nightclub by a "long-haired man," what does Mary Ann do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does DeDe do after Splinter refuses her?

2. In "Relating at Lunch," how does Beauchamp change the status of his relationship with Mary Ann?

3. Briefly discuss the argument between Edgar and Mrs. Madrigal as regards Mona's employment.

4. What advice does Edgar receive from his doctor and from Mrs. Madrigal?

5. What happens in Chapters 22 through 30 that shows how the narrative intersects the lives of its characters?

6. How is Mona's relationship with her mother different from her relationship with Mrs. Madrigal?

7. Mary Ann and Brian discuss secrets in San Francisco. Briefly state each of the character's views on this subject.

8. What does the reader learn about Peter from the scene when he and Beauchamp are at the opera?

9. How does Mrs. Madrigal react when Mary Ann mentions the picture of the soldier in her bedroom?

10. How does Mona help Mary Ann when the two women first meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Edgar's attitude toward his wife, Frannie, change over the course of the novel? Give specific examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

How does the narrative intersect the lives of the characters in unexpected ways? Give at least two examples from the book. How does this interconnectedness contribute to the overall plot? Why do you think the author felt the need to connect all the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the several layers of meaning of the name of the pick up joint in "Brian Climbs the Walls," the Come Clean Laundromat. How is the name ironic? How does the name signify the reason that people go there?

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