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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 Derace Kingsley's company make?

2. What icon does Marlowe have on the business card that he doesn't give to Adrienne Fromsett?

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

4. What does Marlowe find out about De Soto when he calls the police department?

5. Degarmo asks Marlowe if someone hired him. Who?

Short Essay Questions

1. Under what terms does Marlowe accept the offer of five hundred dollars from Kingsley?

2. What reasons does Marlowe give that Lavery might be lying?

3. How does Marlowe treat the bellhop captain?

4. What does Marlowe say that they'll have to do to get financial information about Kingsley's wife?

5. What encounter did Kingsley have, that made him worried about his wife?

6. How does Miss Fromsett describe Florence Almore?

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

8. At the end of chapter fourteen, what does Marlowe tell Kingsley is his next step?

9. What does Birdie know about Marlowe's identity?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Lady in the Lake is written in the first person narrative point of view, from the perspective of Marlowe. Discuss the novel's point of view.

1) Why does the author choose the first person narrative point of view? Why is the story told from Marlowe's perspective?

2) What does Marlowe reveal to the reader, as narrator, and when? What does Marlowe keep hidden from the reader, though he may know it himself?

3) How does the first person narration affect the tone of the novel? How is it appropriate to the genre?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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