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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 job does Murray hire Bootie to do?

2. What is Murray's perspective on his sister?

3. Whose arrival at the home does Marina dread?

4. What does Bootie envy about Danielle?

5. Which friend joins Marina at the vacation home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Thwaite family members react to Bootie's imminent arrival?

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

3. How does the author use the theme of being taken by surprise in this chapter?

4. How does the author use the element of foreshadowing in this section?

5. What is the premise of THE EMPEROR'S CHILDREN?

6. Who is Frederick (Bootie) Tubb and what is he doing since he left college?

7. What are Danielle's feelings about her mother?

8. What does Murray do to try to advance his flirtation with Danielle?

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

10. What is Murray's philosophy on life since he was able to escape the banality of his childhood home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

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

The author uses more than one iteration on the motif of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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