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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. How does Montgomery feel about this situation with the stolen painting and a hostage?

2. Who is watching Montgomery as he forces his victim into the car?

3. What does Montgomery hit his victim with?

4. How does Charlie always like to think about himself in reference to Montgomery's family?

5. How does Montgomery react as he is arrested?

Short Essay Questions

1. As he is leaving the scene of his crime, Montgomery realizes "that the fat, foul-mouthed, inner man has burst out." What he is talking about?

2. How is Montgomery foreshadowing his guilt by saying he had been "unknowingly leaving behind a trail of evidence rather than his troubles" as he leaves the village?

3. After reading the version of the confession written by the police, Montgomery says "they have made a murderer out of him." What is the irony in this statement?

4. Montgomery talks about his victim after reading the newspapers, yet he doesn't voice any opinion about her. However, Montgomery does voice his opinion on what was said or not said about himself. What does this tell the reader about Montgomery?

5. Montgomery describes his fondness for his old family friend Charlie French, yet at the same time he doesn't forgive Charlie for a previous situation. What does this inner conflict tell the reader about Montgomery?

6. According to Montgomery, he feels that now that he is no longer drinking alcohol he "has woken up to a hangover with a vengeance." What does Montgomery mean by saying this?

7. When Montgomery's mother's will is read, Montgomery is shocked to find out he is disinherited. At first he thinks it's because of the most recent fight they had but later finds out his mother disinherited him years prior. Why did his mother do this?

8. Montgomery speaks of his wife visiting him in jail. He is annoyed with her calm demeanor and ability to make decisions without him. Why might these characteristics upset Montgomery?

9. The lawyers on both sides of Montgomery's case want to plead the case out. Montgomery believes this is to protect Charlie French and Max Molyneaux and is against the idea. Why wouldn't Montgomery want to protect these two men?

10. As Charlie cooks breakfast, Montgomery says he feels a "weepy regard" for Charlie. Why would he feel this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death is a major theme in the novel. Montgomery loses both parents and then causes a death himself. How do the deaths develop Montgomery as a character? What are Montgomery's feelings towards death? How does Montgomery react to taking a life on his own?

Essay Topic 2

Montgomery is a character who acts spontaneously. Why are the spontaneous characteristics of Montgomery important to the plot? How would the novel be different if Montgomery planned his every move?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the emergence of Billy Bunter. Who is he? Why is he important? Why does Montgomery say he exists? How would Billy Bunter be beneficial to Montgomery's case?

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