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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. Where does Iris keep Laura's notebooks?

2. What does the woman say she would do if caught with the man?

3. What is the name of the girls' second tutor who pushes them to learn the classics and demands a sparse work space?

4. The woman says that one thing that the man gives her is the reason that she inevitably returns to him. What does he give her?

5. In chapter 7, where was Laura during the time she was missing?

Short Essay Questions

1. On her deathbed, Iris's mother tells her to promise to do something for her. What does Iris promise her mother she will do?

2. How do Winifred and Richard treat the Chase sisters?

3. According to chapter 6, does the man enjoy writing science fiction stories?

4. How does Iris respond to requests for information about Laura?

5. How does Norval Chase respond to the stock market crash and following economic depression?

6. How did the Snilfards prevent the sacrifice of their daughters?

7. In chapter 6, the man and the woman talk about love and the way the man often says that love isn't real. Do you think the man truly believes this?

8. How does Laura respond to living with Richard and Iris?

9. In chapter 1, do you think Iris is too concerned with maintaining appearances?

10. Describe the relationship between the man and the woman in 'The Blind Assassin' sub novel in chapter 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Iris feels confined by her gender. She feels obligated to accept Richard's marriage proposal, she allows him to bully her because she believes she has no real power in their relationship, and remains married to him because she has no marketable skills. In the same way, the sacrificial virgins of Sakiel-Norn are doomed to a life of slavery and sacrifice. Do you think that Iris and Laura are confined by their gender or do they have the power to make their own decisions and escape from the expectations of the men around them? Compare and contrast the Sakiel-Norn virgins with the women in the main novel, incorporating at least two characters. You might want to include characters such as Iris, Laura, Reenie, Winifred, Liliana, Adelia, Aimee, or Myra. You can also incorporate the Peach Women of Aa'A if you so choose.

Essay Topic 2

Aimee blames her mother for Laura's death. Iris, too, blames herself for Laura's death, but defends herself by saying she did not choose her actions, but was rather forced into them. Is Iris responsible for Laura's death, and if so, what could she have done to prevent it and if not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters struggle with their identities. Until Laura dies, Iris lets her father and then Richard control her rather than making her own decisions. Laura is much more free-spirited but even she lets Richard and what she believes to be God's will control her. Although Richard and Winifred seem to be in control, they are really controlled by societal expectations. How are the identities of the characters created in the novel? To what extent do the characters define their own identities and to what extent are their identities controlled by the expectations placed on them by the people around them? Which character do you think has the strongest sense of identity and why? Be sure that your response includes at least three characters.

(see the answer keys)

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