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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. Who does Ducane tell Paula to ring?

2. What does the author say all human life is compact of?

3. What person other than Ducane does Jessica think about in chapter 27?

4. Where does Mary tell Willy something is happening?

5. What kind of bread does McGrath offer Ducane?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Willy tell Mary in this chapter?

2. Why does Ducane resign from his job?

3. What does Richard promise Paula?

4. How did Richard amputate Eric's leg?

5. Why does Binally say he tampered with Radeechy's body?

6. What did Radeecy write in his suicide note?

7. How does Mary react to Willy breaking their engagement?

8. What does Jessica think about when she looks into the long mirror?

9. What do the three women write in their letters to Ducane?

10. Why does McGrath say the room smells so bad?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. How does the author use all these elements to create a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 2

What is a premise? Why is a premise important to a story? How does Murdoch use her premise to develop meaning in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1960s? How does the author express these concerns?

2) How would the author have tot change the novel if it was set in today's society?

(see the answer keys)

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