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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 escorts Hadley down the aisle?

2. How do Ernest and Hadley feel about their living quarters?

3. What did Kate do when she and Ernest were swimming with friends?

4. Why does Hadley have difficulty with what Ernest accuses her?

5. With what does Grace bore the family gathering to meet Hadley?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do the Hadley and Ernest live right after their marriage, and how do they have the money to sustain them?

2. What does Ernest recall about an incident with Kate?

3. How does Ernest have a brief affair and what does he think of concerning Hadley and the affair?

4. How does Hadley doubt the wisdom of a relationship with Ernest and how does Ernest propose to Hadley?

5. Why is Hadley in mourning and why does she think the party will help?

6. What happened to Ernest when he was in Italy that he recalls on this trip?

7. What did Hadley learn about Ernest when she met him the next morning in the kitchen?

8. How does Ernest start to break into the Paris literary scene?

9. What does Hadley not mention to Fonnie upon Hadley's return to St. Louis and how does Fonnie learn about Hadley's secret?

10. Why does Ernest decide to take some time off from working?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Paris Wife help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Paris Wife? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Paris Wife to discuss and compare one character's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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 is present in The Paris Wife? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Paris Wife and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Paris Wife is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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