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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 are Mary and Colin vacationing?

2. Who was considered the head of Robert's family when he was a child?

3. What must all visitors to the hospital have to gain entry?

4. Which of the following does NOT characterize Mary and Colin's relationship?

5. How does Mary characterize her relationship with Colin as she describes it to Caroline?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mary tell Colin she dreams about during their daily naps?

2. Describe the event that led Robert's sisters to despise him.

3. How does Caroline define being "in love" with someone? How does the definition of love differ for men and women according to Caroline?

4. Why does Caroline lock Mary and Colin's clothes in a cabinet?

5. Describe the gallery in Robert and Caroline's apartment

6. Describe the setting of the first chapter

7. What does Mary notice about Colin's body as he lays sleeping in Robert and Caroline's apartment?

8. What are Mary and Colin looking for as they journey through the city? Why?

9. How does Mary react to Colin when he wears the dressing gown? How is this different from his own reaction?

10. How does Mary and Colin's relationship with the hotel maid change over the course of their vacation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting of The Comfort of Strangers strongly influences the plot of the novel. Discuss the role that the setting plays in this novel. Focus on how it influences the choices and actions of the characters. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

The human body plays an important role in this novel. Discuss several situations where the body is central to the plot of the story. Focus on what the human body is serving as a symbol of at that point in the novel. Be sure to cite specific details from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The Comfort of Strangers presents two very different visions of romantic relationships. In your essay, compare and contrast the two couples in the novel focusing on:

1) the dynamics of their relationship

2) their ideals about love

3) their ideals about relationships between men and women.

Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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