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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. How does Ernest respond to Stein's suggestions?

2. On what does Hadley get drunk when they go out with the Pounds?

3. What does Ernest have to do with Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare and Company on the Left Bank?

4. Where is there news of increased conflicts?

5. What does Ernest ask Hadley about Rome?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Hadley and her sister Fonnie do in 1904?

2. What sort of emotional issues is Ernest having?

3. Who is Hadley's father and what did he do?

4. What does Sherwood Anderson recommend Ernest do, and how does he help Ernest?

5. How did Hadley and Ernest adjust to Paris life?

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

7. Describe the Hemingway's visit to the Pound's home.

8. Where is Ernest sent on Thanksgiving of 1922 and what does he want Hadley to do?

9. Why does Ernest go back to Paris briefly?

10. Where was Hadley when the novel opens and what is she doing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know." Sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the book more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Paula McLain.

2. What in McLain's background may have helped him in writing The Paris Wife? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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