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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 Crabbe think has no importance to Strickland?

2. What nationality is Brunot?

3. What was the name of Strickland's Tahitian wife?

4. Where is Strickland when Old Bill turns up looking for a fight?

5. What does Crabbe call the parts of Strickland's life which is known to the public?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Crabbe wish he could his story about Strickland more compelling?

2. How did Nichols and Strickland become friends?

3. How does Strickland's portrait of Blanche affect Dirk?

4. Why does Dirk want Crabbe to write Blanche a letter?

5. What does Crabbe notice about Blanche when he sees her with Strickland?

6. How does Cohen know Strickland?

7. What does Crabbe think about Strickland's paintings?

8. How does Dirk try to win Blanche back?

9. Why does Crabbe have a begrudging respect for Strickland?

10. What does Strickland reveal about Blanche's past?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Blanche's death affect Dirk and Strickland differently? In what way does Blanche's death seem to change Strickland as a person? What suggestions are there that Dirk is likely to get over Blanche's death quicker than Strickland?

Essay Topic 2

What suggestions are there earlier in the book that Charles Strickland would become the artist he eventually became? What does it express about the nature of art and the artist that someone as seemingly dull as Strickland can become a renowned artist?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

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