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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 is the subject of a painting hanging in the Fetters' home?

2. Why does Phan say that Parsifal is not ready to come visit her?

3. What does Dot notice at Sabine's house?

4. Where does Parsifal die?

5. Who is doing a magic show at the location in #40?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dot's invitation to Sabine foreshadow for the story?

2. What does Phan tell Sabine about Parsifal coming around when he returns to her in a dream?

3. Why does Sabine give Roger permission to call Parsifal's family and why does she not think they will contact her?

4. Who is Parsifal's mother and why does she call Sabine?

5. What shocking information does Sabine receive from Parsifal's attorney, Roger?

6. Why is lunch at the Magic Castle a bittersweet experience for Sabine?

7. How does Sabine philosophize her life versus the one Parsifal had?

8. Why did Parsifal leave home at an early age never to return?

9. What conclusion does Sabine come to regarding Parsifal's denial of any living family?

10. Where does Sabine take Parsifal's mother and sister on their second day in Los Angeles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Denial seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of denial? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the lives of the characters? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of the women in the novel, specifically, how did Dot's life differ from that of Sabine's in the next generation? In what ways is Dot's life mirrored in Kitty's life? What roles do family, culture and experiences play in forming a woman's character and life story?

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Sabine. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Sabine?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 985 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample