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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 is Bootie doing at the beginning of Chapter 8?

2. What has Murray rejected about his upbringing?

3. Who is Bootie especially in awe of at his new location?

4. Where is Bootie sitting at the beginning of Chapter 19?

5. What news does Marina giddily deliver to Danielle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the disconnect between how Marina and Murray perceive themselves and how they actually are?

2. What are Danielle's thoughts about Murray?

3. What is the state of Julius' relationship with David after two months?

4. What dominates Danielle's thoughts as she prepares to go to sleep?

5. What are Ludo's obvious opinions about Murray and how does Danielle feel about them?

6. How does Marina unwittingly accelerate the affair between her father and Danielle?

7. Who is Murray's wife and what is her profession?

8. What strides has Bootie made in the two weeks he has been in Manhattan?

9. How do Murray and Marina deal with the issue of the dead cat?

10. How is Bootie out of place on his first night in Manhattan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the overall setting setting for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Messud choose to use these places in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Murray and Ludo. Both men want influence over Marina but have their hold on her in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 3

How does Messud address the gay culture in Manhattan in the early twenty-firstcentury? Is she authentic in her portrayal of gays during this time period? Does she slip into any stereotypes that may be found offensive? Does she portray gays in a flattering light in her book? Explain.

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