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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 is Kingsley afraid his wife might get in trouble for?

2. What does Marlowe ask Kingsley, before explaining what he's discovered?

3. What clue does Marlowe see that Lavery was up at Little Fawn Lake?

4. Is the perfume Marlowe smelled in Lavery's bedroom the same kind Miss Fromsett wears?

5. When Kingsley leaves his office, where does he tell Miss Fromsett he is going?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marlowe discover when he examines the item he takes from the woman in Lavery's house?

2. How does Marlowe treat the bellhop captain?

3. What does Bill Chess do to himself, after shouting at the sheriff to arrest him?

4. What does Marlowe say to do about the handkerchief.

5. Where is Lavery going, when he leaves the house?

6. What important information does the bellhop at the Prescott Hotel offer, based on the photo of Crystal Kingsley?

7. How does Marlowe know the name of the person who lives across the street from Lavery?

8. How does Bill Chess respond when Marlowe asks if Muriel and Crystal might have gone away together?

9. How does Marlowe handle his long wait in Kingsley's office lobby?

10. What does Marlowe ask about that Lavery seems to react to, as if it makes him think or wonder something he's not saying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, there are two ways to deal with problems and difficult situations: physical and mental prowess. Discuss physical and mental prowess in the novel.

1) When and how does Marlowe use physical force, intimidation, or threat? Why does Marlowe use these tactics?

2) When and how does Marlowe use mental deduction, bluffing, or other mental tactics? Why does Marlowe use these tactics?

3) Which is more important in the novel, the mental or the physical? Which has greater value attached to it?

Essay Topic 2

As a crime novel, The Lady in the Lake is concerned with justice. Discuss justice in the novel.

1) What does Marlowe consider justice to be?

2) How does the law deliver justice, or does it? What is the relationship between the law and justice?

3) Does the novel deliver justice to its characters? In what ways?

Essay Topic 3

Mildred Haviland is a character, though she is not seen during most of the novel. Her story is the primary story Marlowe is uncovering. Discuss Mildred Haviland's character.

1) What is Mildred Haviland's motivation for murder? What makes her a killer?

2) Mildred Haviland is only seen under false identities. Why does she acquire false identities? What are the implications of her acting capabilities?

3) What does the reader know about Mildred Haviland's true character? How does the reader get to know her character? How does Marlowe get to know her character?

(see the answer keys)

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