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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. Why does Richard burn incense?

2. Who careens past on a bicycle?

3. What does a good house speak of?

4. How many planes does Virginia see above her?

5. What does Virginia fear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Laura's feelings about her son?

2. How does Laura attempt to achieve perfection?

3. What fascinates Laura about Virginia Woolf's death?

4. What is the 'inner faculty' that Virginia refers to?

5. What is significant about Oliver St. Ives?

6. What sets a favorable writing mindset for Virginia Woolf in this chapter?

7. Why is Clarissa hurt about Sally going out to lunch with Oliver St. Ives?

8. Why does Virginia wish to avoid Nelly on this particular morning?

9. Why did Virginia not engage more with Nelly over the matter of the day's menu?

10. How pervasive are the voices Virginia hears?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed critical essay on Michael Cunningham's The Hours. This should be a substantial essay that examines concepts, style, imagery, characterization and imaginative vision. Evaluate the novel. Do you think it deserved its Pulitzer Prize? You will need to write 800-1,000 words.

Essay Topic 2

Birds and flowers are significant symbols in The Hours. Discuss the way these and one other symbol of your choice are used in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the tension between commitment and freedom in the lives of the characters in Michael Cunningham's The Hours. Focus particularly on two major characters and one minor one.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 985 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample