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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. According to Mrs. Wilkins at the train station, what does her husband have no right to do?

2. Why does Mrs. Wilkins gasp when she looks out her window in Chapter 6?

3. What does Mrs. Arbuthnot believe her husband is too busy doing to notice her gone?

4. Who is Briggs?

5. What must the renters provide to the landlord for the Italian villa?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Arbuthnot believe about her own happiness?

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

3. Do Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins find the process of leasing the villa easy? Why or why not?

4. What sparks Mrs. Wilkins' and Mrs. Arbuthnots' debate about heaven?

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

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

7. Who do Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins become increasingly uneasy about the trip in Chapter 4?

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

9. What disagreement do Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Arbuthnot have in Chapter 7?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character Mrs. Arbuthnot. What is her role in the novel and what are her defining character traits? Describe her friendship with Mrs. Wilkins. Describe her marriage. How does it transform and why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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