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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. To where does Amelia retreat after her defeat?

2. Who jumps onto Amelia when she has Marvin in a defeated pin?

3. Frances' piano playing lately has been proficient yet _____________.

4. What is one of the ways that Amelia tries to get rid of Marvin?

5. What is Amelia's demeanor toward the sick child?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the old man come to terms with his wife's leaving him for another man?

2. What is Mr. Brook's first clue that Madame Zilensky may have mental issues?

3. How do the townspeople know that Amelia is in love with Cousin Lymon?

4. What is the dilemma the author writes about in the title of the story?

5. With whom does Frances share the title of "wunderkind" and why does she think she cannot live up to the name?

6. Explain the role of misfits in McCullers' work and how Cousin Lymon and Amelia both fall into that category.

7. What does Mister Bilderbach try to get Frances to play in her lesson to get her enthused again?

8. How does Amelia react when Marvin moves into the house?

9. What is the main theme in this story?

10. What happens when a young boy enters a diner one night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Prejudice and discrimination against people unlike you is a common thread in McCullers' stories. Cite two examples in this book and explain what you think McCullers was trying to say in each.

Essay Topic 2

Select three stories from this collection and explain the significance of their titles. What did the author mean by naming the stories like she did? Cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Marvin Macy. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates her, if anything, at this point in her life?

(see the answer keys)

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