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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 long do Babcock and Newman travel together for before they part ways?

2. At the end of Chapter VIII, what does Valentin agree to do for Newman?

3. What reason does Mrs. Tristam give Newman about why Claire will never act against her mother or brother?

4. How does Valentin react to Noemie the first time he sees her?

5. What does everyone drink during Newman's first visit to see Claire?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Mrs. Tristam respond when she learns that Newman has never been married?

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

4. What does Valentin think Noemie's absence from her father's house symbolizes?

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

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

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

8. What causes Claire to shift from threatening to banish Newman if he talked about marriage again to making him wait 6 months instead?

9. What surprising event happens as Urbain and his wife are preparing to go to a ball?

10. At the end of Chapter V, what amusing point does Newman make about other people's comments on his moral standards?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze at least 3 different literary techniques James uses to create tension in "The American."

Essay Topic 2

Discuss at least 3 literary devices James uses within the first 3 chapters to help the reader better understand Newman as both a character and the protagonist. Make sure to use examples and/or quotations from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Describe at least 3 things that James is able to do with the character of Newman because he is a man AND at least 3 things he is *not* able to do with Newman because he is a man.

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