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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 do the woman and the man do after the woman meets him when he briefly returns from the war?

2. About what do the man and woman argue?

3. Where does Iris find the things Laura had stashed away at Avilion?

4. What does the woman say war is like for the by-standers?

5. Richard Griffen warns of what in Spain?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter 13, why does Walter come over to Iris's house?

2. According to chapter 10, what is the political climate in Spain?

3. According to chapter 13, what pact had Laura made with God?

4. In chapter 11, how does Laura send Iris a message and what does this message look like.

5. How does the woman respond to the suggestion that she leave her husband before the man goes overseas?

6. In chapter 10, the woman imagines the man in a variety of situations. Describe one of these situations.

7. According to chapter 11, how does the adult Aimee feel towards her mother and why?

8. At the end of the chapter, Iris hears something outside her window. What does she think it is and what is it really?

9. About what does the woman dream at the end of chapter 12?

10. What are Winifred's feelings toward Iris's pregnancy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters do things that they find repulsive or uncomfortable as a sacrifice for someone they love. Choose a sacrifice made by a character in the novel, explain the sacrifice and why the character made it and whether you agree or disagree with the character's decision. Be sure to explain your reasoning and answer such questions as: Did the sacrifice accomplish anything; did the person for which the character is sacrificing appreciate the sacrifice; does it matter if it is appreciated?

Essay Topic 2

At any point in the novel, the political climate often directly affects the lives of the characters. How does the changing political climate affect the story? Consider the effects of such events as the stock market crash, labor strikes, World Wars I and II, and the Spanish Civil War.

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.

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