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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. What literary technique does McCullers use when she addresses the ruined marriage between Amelia and Marvin and the future failed relationship between Amelia and Lymon.

2. In what season of the year does Marvin return to town?

3. In this story, McCullers intimates that a certain level of _____________ is part of life.

4. Amelia and Cousin Lymon are both ____________.

5. How long did Miss Amelia's only marriage last?

Short Essay Questions

1. What details does McCullers provide which would serve to especially infuriate Bitsy about the men?

2. What is Leo's role in the story?

3. Who is Cousin Lymon and how does he enter Amelia's life?

4. How do the wealthy men react to the news that the young injured jockey will never ride again?

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

6. Describe John's visit to Elizabeth's home.

7. What do the men think about Bitsy especially in light of the accident suffered by his good friend?

8. Why does Mr. Brook rationalize that Madame Zilensky has created a world of lies?

9. How have Lymon's feelings for Marvin altered the love triangle of Amelia, Marvin, and Lymon?

10. Why is John Ferris is a New York hotel and what seems to consume his thoughts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFE? Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall settings for the stories. Why does the author use the settings she does? What is the time period of the stories? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

"Ballad of the Sad Cafe" is a classic story of love and betrayal. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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