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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 do the various zones on the grounds in the funeral home represent?

2. What does Dennis send to Sir Ambrose?

3. Through what does Dennis have to pass in order to reach the reception area in the mortuary?

4. Besides cats, dogs and birds, what is one other animal Dennis has seen come through?

5. How is Mr. Joyboy's work as an embalmer considered?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sir Francis Hinsley say about Americans?

2. What does the recording say about the Church of St. Peter-without-the-walls in Oxford?

3. Who comes through Whispering Glades to view Sir Francis' and who does not come through and why?

4. Why is Mr. Schultz displeased with Dennis and how does Dennis try to convince Mr. Schultz to feel otherwise?

5. Describe the Orchid Room when Dennis visits Whispering Glades the day before Sir Francis' funeral.

6. How does Barlow compare the facades of Hollywood sets to the front of Whispering Glades?

7. Who arrives and what does he say to Sir Francis?

8. What do the men discuss about Juanita del Pablo?

9. What does the opening to Chapter 1 describe?

10. What does Dennis find when he enters the Slumber Room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Loved One is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

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 Evelyn Waugh.

2. What in Waugh's background may have helped him in writing The Loved One? 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 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Loved One. Questions that Waugh most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Waugh' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Waugh' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Waugh and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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