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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 do the appearances of Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot change as they look outside in Chapter 6?

2. What did Lady Caroline and Mrs. Fisher feel they had the right to when they arrived at the house?

3. What does Lady Caroline's grace, beauty and nature allow her to be?

4. How does Mrs. Fisher feel about the chatty and enthusiastic Mrs. Wilkins when she first meets her?

5. What does Lady Caroline want desperately for in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mrs. Fisher's lunch scene in Chapter 9.

2. How do the two women go about finding other guests for their villa retreat? Why do they want to find more women?

3. What does Lady Caroline think of Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot?

4. What does Lady Caroline reflect on as she watches Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot in Chapter 8?

5. What do Costanza and Domenico want from Lady Caroline in Chapter 8?

6. Who is the owner of the Italian villa and what does the leasing process entail?

7. What are some defining characteristics attributed to Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot in Chapter 1?

8. What is shared in Chapter 2 in regards to Mrs. Arbuthnot's marriage?

9. Describe Mrs. Fisher.

10. How does Mrs. Arbuthnot spend most of her time as explained in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of the novel. In what way is the setting an important aspect of this story? How does the Italian setting contrast with the London setting? How does the Italian setting help to transform the four women?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character Mrs. Fisher. What is her role in the novel and what are her defining character traits? Does she get along with her housemates? Why or why not? How does her relationships with the other housemates change as the novel progresses? How does Mrs. Fisher learn to live for the present and future instead of the past?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze von Arnim's use of irony. What are some examples of irony in the novel? How do these examples affect the reader's experience when reading the novel?

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