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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 does Holgrave view Phoebe’s influence on Clifford and Hepzibah?

2. What does the Judge reveal to Hepzibah during his visit following Phoebe's departure?

3. How does the atmosphere of the House influence Phoebe?

4. What does Clifford enjoy watching from the arched windows?

5. What is Holgrave writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hepzibah find in the parlor?

2. How did Gervais believe that Maule could help him?

3. What happens during the political rally?

4. How was young Matthew Maule already connected to the story of the House?

5. What happens to cause Phoebe to have more leisure time, and how does she spend it?

6. What does Holgrave offer to read to Phoebe?

7. How is Clifford's homecoming both bitter and sweet?

8. What does Holgrave experiment with?

9. How is Phoebe changing, and why?

10. Describe Holgrave's attitudes towards society and tradition.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel presents many examples of persons or things that are not what they initially seem. Write an essay that explores how the novel develops the theme of appearance vs. reality.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that explores character changes throughout the novel. Which characters undergo important changes and are these changes a function of direct or indirect characterization? Why are these character shifts important? How do they help develop themes or motifs in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Hawthorne states in his preface to the novel that the “moral--the truth” of The House of Seven Gables is that “the wrong-doing of one generation lives into the successive ones, and, divesting itself of every temporary advantage, becomes a pure and uncontrollable mischief.” Write an essay that explores how the novel demonstrates this “truth.”

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