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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 Sir Ambrose say will damage the credibility of Englishmen in Hollywood?

2. Where is Mr. Slump when Aimée talks to him on the phone?

3. Of what is Mr. Slump tired?

4. What is something that bothers Aimée about Dennis?

5. What poem is used at the Heart of the Bruce?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the other cosmeticians becoming jealous of Aimée?

2. Describe the conversation between Mr. Joyboy and Aimée concerning Dennis' poems.

3. What does the narrator explain about Aimée and where she was raised at the opening of this chapter?

4. How do Dennis' poems help Aimée feel better and what does she do with one of them?

5. Why has Aimée written a local newspaper columnist and what does he reply to her?

6. What does Mr. Joyboy say about his mother when Aimée asks about her and how does this conversation lead to another discovery about Dennis?

7. What does Mr. Slump not know at the moment and how does he react to another letter from Aimée?

8. What do Dennis and Aimée do at Lovers' Nook?

9. What does Aimée write to the columnist about Dennis?

10. What does Sir Amborse say about Dennis' plans to become a non-sectarian minister?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes The Loved One interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Dennis. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Amiee. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Mr. Joyboy. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Waugh's sardonic take on the overwrought rituals of death in America intensifies in this chapter, as Dennis visits the prepared corpse of Sir Francis at Whispering Glades. Amid a profusion of flowers that itself seems cloying, the cricketing trophy reposes like a bad joke, as if the thing of principal value in this man's life was a social game. The Slumber Room is another tasteless touch, with its intimation that people should think of the corpse as merely having a nap.

1. Discuss the various rituals most Americans up hold around the event of the death of a loved one. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think the rituals surrounding death in America are dysfunctional? Why or why not? Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss various reasons you can see behind the rituals of death in America and the hiding away of dying people. Use examples from The Loved One and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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