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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. Against whom does Mrs. Bread confess to having a grudge?

2. With whom does Valentin commit himself to a duel?

3. Who is Lord Deepmere?

4. Where does Valentin's burial take place?

5. How do Claire's brother and mother feel about her decision to become a nun?

Short Essay Questions

1. What threat does Newman end up making to Urbain about the information he has on the Bellegarde family?

2. What does Newman first tell the injured Valentin about Claire?

3. How did Mrs. Bread get connected to the Bellegarde familiy?

4. In Chapter XIII, what does Newman notably compare Claire's mother's personality to?

5. What does Urbain confirm about his father's murder to Newman?

6. What does Urbain request of Newman when he comes and confesses that his father was in fact murdered?

7. What promise to Mrs. Bread does Newman fulfill in Chapter 23?

8. What did Madame de Bellegarde once accuse Mrs. Bread of?

9. What does Claire say to Newman when they finally speak after their engagement is called off?

10. What does Noemie tell Newman when he confronts her and her father at the Cafe de le Patrie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a well-reasoned argument discussing whether or not Newman is a good role model for young, male readers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss at least 4 ways "The American" would be different if the protagonist were female.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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