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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 does Holgrave value?

2. Why does Clifford want to hold the roses?

3. How does Clifford act when he appears again after his meeting with the Judge?

4. How is Gervais Pyncheon related to Colonel Pyncheon?

5. Holgrave tells Phoebe which story?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Hepzibah find in the parlor?

3. Why was the Judge finally successful at getting a meeting with Clifford?

4. In Holgrave's narrative, what was Gervais Pyncheon trying the find?

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

6. What childish impulse does Clifford give in to and who witnesses it?

7. How does the author build suspense as Hepzibah waits while the Judge meets with Clifford?

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

9. What was the impact of Maule's hypnotism on Alice?

10. Describe what life is like for the four residents of the House.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that explains how Hawthorne uses his description of the House itself to develop the theme of the past influencing the present.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring Hepzibah and Phoebe and their roles as women in their society. How do the expectations and customs of nineteenth century new England influence their options and choices? How do these factors influence the events of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the relationships among the characters in the house. Consider Hepzibah's, Phoebe's, Clifford's and Holgrave's relationships with one another, whether these relationships are implicit or explicit, and why these relationships are important.

(see the answer keys)

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