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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 the stamp's color indicate about the dead man's letter?

2. What is Bunter's relationship to Lord Peter Wimsey?

3. What decorative aspect of the church's roof impresses Lord Peter when he first glimpses it?

4. The day after Lady Thorpe's funeral, where does Mrs. Gates find her wreath instead of on the grave where it was placed?

5. During the funeral for the dead stranger, about what is Lord Peter puzzling?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what suspicious behavior does Will Thoday engage around New Year's, the time of the murder?

2. How does a letter for Paul Taylor eliminate Cranton as the corpse from Lady Thorpe's grave?

3. Why is the unknown man's corpse in Lady Thorpe's grave suspected of being Nobby Cranton?

4. Why is Mrs. Gates unhappy with Mrs. Coppins over a wreath?

5. What circumstance brings Lord Peter Wimsey to Fenchurch St. Paul?

6. During the funeral for the unidentified male corpse from Lady Thorpe's grave, what questions does Lord Peter ask himself about the corpse's death?

7. In what ways is Mrs. Venables a foil to the character of her husband, Reverend Venables?

8. What does Mrs. Venables deduce about the mysterious male corpse in Lady Thorpe's grave when she sees his French underclothes?

9. How well does Hilary Thorpe get along with her Uncle Edward?

10. Why does Nobby Cranton return to Fenchurch St. Paul after his release from prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Each chapter in The Nine Tailors begins with an epigraph. Discuss the author's technique of using epigraphs to introduce her chapters. How do the epigraphs relate to the chapters they introduce? What do you think Dorothy L. Sayers intends to convey or accomplish through this technique? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss symbolism and metaphor in The Nine Tailors. Give three examples of symbolism in the novel and discuss what the symbols are used to convey.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the subplots in the novel. Explain how each subplot relates to the main plot and how it contributes to characterization in the novel. Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

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This section contains 1,145 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample