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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 Mary react when Colin changes position while standing on the balcony?

2. Why does Mary think Robert took the secret photograph of Colin?

3. Why does Robert say Mary is "very quick"?

4. Why do Mary and Colin think their newfound passion is especially profound?

5. What does Colin notice has changed in Robert's bar since his earlier visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Mary and Colin depart the riverboat early? How does their ultimate destination differ from their intended destination?

2. What does Mary discover in the apartment when she awakens?

3. What does Caroline request of Colin? Why?

4. What do Robert and Caroline initially do to Colin? How does he prevent this?

5. According to Robert, how do the roles of men and women differ now from the time when his father was alive?

6. Why doesn't Mary respond much to Caroline's stories? What is likely the source of her silence?

7. What changes about Colin's appearance in this chapter? How does Robert react to this change? How does Mary react?

8. Describe the two times that Mary and Colin discuss Robert's photograph of Colin in this chapter. How are they different?

9. What does Mary find in Robert and Caroline's bedroom? What is the source of this?

10. Describe the evolution of the sexual dynamics between Robert and Caroline.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the men and women in this novel. How are the female characters similar/different? How are the male characters similar/different? Then discuss why you think the author presents this variety of male and female characters in the novel. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

While Mary's children never appear in the novel, their influence is felt on the story. In your essay:

1) describe Mary's children and their life circumstances.

2) discuss at least two events where the children play a role in the scene

3) discuss the significance of the children in the scene. What do they represent?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in this novel is the concept of gender roles. Discuss the ways that this theme plays out in the novel and the overarching message about gender that the author is trying to make. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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