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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 Linh realize about Helen?

2. What does Robert say concerns him about Darrow?

3. What is Robert's new position?

4. Who gets into a fight at Robert's party?

5. Where do Helen and Darrow stay?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Helen and Darrow stay? Who offers better quarters and what does Darrow say?

2. What did Linh do while away from Helen and Darrow?

3. Why do Tanner and Darrow get into a fight?

4. What do Helen and Darrow discuss concerning Linh and his helping Helen?

5. What does Linh wish things were like and why aren't they?

6. Where do Linh and Helen go and what is happening with Darrow?

7. What does Darrow tell Helen he has in Saigon and what does he say about his life?

8. Describe Helen and Darrow's visit to a Red Cross camp.

9. What happens between Darrow and Tanner at the party and what does Darrow tell Helen about Tanner?

10. What does Darrow's wife win the right to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Tatjana Soli.

2. What in Soli's background may have helped him in writing The Lotus Eaters? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Helen and Linh. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Linh and Darrow. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Lotus Eaters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Lotus Eaters is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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