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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 bothers Renee a little about the dress Manuela borrows for her?

2. What does Paloma tell Renee Paloma knows about the woman?

3. What do Renee and Kakuro discuss before he shows her his kitchen?

4. Why is Paloma surprised that the new tenant wants to have tea with her mother?

5. What does Renee think about what Columbe has focused upon in her work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Renee think is wrong with Columbe's thesis and why?

2. Who wakes Renee at seven and what does Renee tell the person?

3. How does Renee obtain a dress for her date and what disturbs her about the dress?

4. What does Paul Nguyen tell Renee when he comes to her door and what is Renee's response?

5. Why does Paloma's mother take her to a therapist and what fascinates her about him?

6. What do Renee and Manuela discuss concerning Renee's upcoming dinner date?

7. Why does Paloma displease a teacher at her school?

8. Briefly describe Renee's dinner with Kakuro.

9. What does Manuela tell Renee about Kakuro's apartment, and what is Renee's response?

10. What does Paloma feel and think when she hears her school choir singing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Paloma's journal entries, it soon becomes clear that she feels persecuted by her sister and ignored by her mother, both normal teenager complaints. However, these complaints are compounded by Paloma's incredible intelligence and insight into the world. Paloma feels as if no one truly sees her or understands her, the opposite of what she claims is her reason for wanting to commit suicide, leading the reader to better understand that Paloma is a normal child with normal complaints, a child with similar emotional baggage to that which Renee carries around. These two characters clearly have a great deal in common.

1. Do you think Paloma is persecuted by her sister and ignored by her mother? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the dichotomy of Paloma not wanting to be in a "fishbowl" yet wanting people to see or understand her. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Explain, with examples, why you think Paloma is or is not a fairly normal teenager.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Elegance of the Hedgehog". Questions that Barbery most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Barbery's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Barbery's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Barbery and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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