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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. With which of the following does Chapter XIX begin?

2. At which inn does Elf take lodgings in Deal?

3. How old is the girl whose photograph Octavia views last?

4. What sergeant confronts Octavia when she calls on Cutter?

5. With which of the following does Lux Perpetua begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does O’Donnell note as the likely effect of a full bibliography for a work of fiction (401)?

2. What pattern do Octavia and Elf note in the disappearances of young women associated with the Spiriters?

3. How does Cutter explain his specialty to Gideon?

4. What suggestion does Gideon make about Cutter’s specialty in policing?

5. How does Cutter explain Angela’s condition to Gideon?

6. Why does Octavia note that she has kept her story from the newspapers?

7. What does O’Donnell note as the only historical liberty he knowingly takes (401)?

8. As Gideon pursues Angela from the house on Vesper Sands, why does he posit Cutter will think him mad?

9. Why does Cutter think the traffic approaching the house on Vesper Sands as he and Gideon pursue Angela is not a coach?

10. As Gideon and Cutter arrive in Deal, what is Gideon’s primary concern?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the significance of the name of any one character in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Overall, what is the most important theme of The House on Vesper Sands. What in the text indicates as much? How does it do so?

Essay Topic 3

Readerly attention focuses itself on the comment that “Lady Ashenden is giving the ball [that has distracted Parliament] to honour Lord Strythe, the Early of Maundley” (52). What about the comment justifies the readerly attention, and how does it do so?

(see the answer keys)

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