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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. When do the Feddens usually go to Chez Claude?

2. Which of Leo's lovers gets asked over to meet his mother?

3. Who is Betsy Tilden?

4. Why is the mayor insulted by Gerald?

5. Where has Wani been while he has been away from London?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Wani say he is having a feature on in the premiere issue of Ogee?

2. What does the Gauguin painting "Le Matin aux Champs" represent, according to Catherine?

3. What does Sally Tipper look like?

4. What is on the cover of the premiere issue of Ogee?

5. What is on Abbots' Field?

6. How is Lionel able to get in the house without alerting the press?

7. Who is Javier?

8. What do Gerald and Jasper do in the fumoir?

9. How does Nick think it is best to deal with Catherine when she is on an "up curve"?

10. What does Nick fear most after reading the Edelman book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rachel refers to a politician's affair as "vulgar and unsafe." How do you see the homosexual encounters as portrayed in the text? Are they portrayed as vulgar or as beautiful? Why do you think Hollinghurst makes his scenes so explicit?

Essay Topic 2

Nick is more of a spectator than an actor in the decisions that affect his life. He acts like an appraiser of everyone else's judgments, values, and tastes. Find examples that show Nick to be the cool and removed spectator, critical of others, but unable to ultimately make decisions for himself. Then, analyze whether or not Nick is truly as devoid of power as he seems.

Essay Topic 3

One of the concepts of the "line of beauty" is the ogee arch. Explain the symbolism of the ogee and find examples of when this image appears in the text. What does the ogee mean to Nick? What about the Ogee company? How does its curve reflect the highs and lows of the plot?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 680 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample