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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. Who interrupts Madame de Vionnet's conversation with Strether?

2. From whose novel does Miss Gostrey recognize Strether's name?

3. What does Chad ask Strether in Book 6?

4. What does Chad ask Strether in Book 5?

5. Where was Strether before Chester?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what part of the city is Miss Gostrey's apartment?

2. What does Strether tell Miss Gostrey about Bilham when she first returns to Paris?

3. Why does Chad's mother want him to return to America?

4. How does Strether meet Miss Gostrey?

5. Where does Bilham say that Chad is when Strether first comes looking for him?

6. What does Strether ask Bilham in Book 5?

7. How does Strether learn Miss Gostrey's name?

8. What is Jeanne wearing when Strether first meets her?

9. Where does Strether first see Bilham standing?

10. How old does Miss Gostrey suppose that Jeanne de Vionnet is in Book 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you examine James' psychological portrayal of his characters. Is it possible always to know what James' characters are thinking? Do certain characters' views surprise the reader? Are the thoughts of the characters of greater interest to the writer than the action of the plot? Examine the psychological complexity of the novel's characters, and argue whether you think The Ambassadors is a psychological novel.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the characters make decisions out of love. Write an essay explaining how the idea of love is represented in the novel, considering whether different characters seem to hold different views of love, and whether love is idealized or presented realistically.

Essay Topic 3

The difference between America and Europe is a prominent theme throughout the novel. Write an essay in which you discuss how the writer characterizes each country. You may use as evidence either descriptive language used with respect to each environment or the effect that these places have on the novel's characters.

(see the answer keys)

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