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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. How much is the final price of Noemie's painting when it is delivered?

2. How does Claire react to Newman's first visit when he comes to see her?

3. Where do Noemie and Valentin first meet?

4. Where does Newman unexpectedly run into Valentin?

5. Who informs Newman that Noemie has left her father's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What actions did Valentin's family take out of fear that he would ruin the family's good name?

2. What reaction does Newman have to the offer to tour Claire's home during his first visit?

3. What has Claire's family already done to her in regard to marriage?

4. Why isn't Newman considered upstanding and noble in French culture?

5. How did her family feel about Claire's decision to give up her right to her husband's money?

6. What does Newman think will happen that will make him return to business?

7. According to Valentin, what attitude toward life does Claire have?

8. How does Noemie react to the paintings Newman wants her to paint for him?

9. What does Newman tell Tristam his reason is for being in Paris?

10. While he is confessing his affections for her for the first time, what does Newman ask Claire to do in regard to her decision about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss at least 3 literary devices that James uses to help the reader better understand at least one character of your choosing. Use direct quotations and/or examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Newman and Valentin. How are they alike? How are they similar? Make sure to use direct quotations from the text to support your paper.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze at least 3 aspects of "The American" that makes the novel believable as well as what literary devices James uses to create that level of believability OR analyze at least 3 aspects of "The American" that makes the novel unbelievable as well as what literary devices James does not use effectively to create a level of believability in the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample