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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 came over to the table one night at a restaurant?

2. What does Hadley tell Ernest when he returns from walking?

3. What did Hadley think the publication of The Torrents of Spring would do?

4. Where does Pauline suggest the Hemingways move with her?

5. What does Ernest tell Hadley about Pauline after Pauline returns to the States?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Hadley do with her son before settling into a home in the United States?

2. Describe Hadley's birthing of their son.

3. What happens that makes Hadley realize she had to do something about her life?

4. What evidence of success did Ernest have?

5. What did Ernest tell Hadley when he called about writing his memoir?

6. Describe the confrontation between Ernest and Hadley about Pauline.

7. What does Ernest write Hadley from Madrid, and why does Ernest hate to be alone?

8. How does Hadley feel about Pauline visiting them in Austria?

9. How does Ernest meet F. Scott Fitzgerald and what does Ernest think of Zelda?

10. About what is Hadley hurt and angry that Pauline tells her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Florence was a feminist before it was fashionable and was obsessed with women's rights. It was no wonder that Hadley suffered from lack of self-esteem - her mother favored Fonnie, her sister who was a few years old than she, and paid little attention to Hadley. Hadley reeled from the death of another older sister, Dorthea, with whom she had her closest familial relationship. On her death bed, her mother inflicted a final measure of unworthiness upon Hadley. She told her that she contacted Dorthea in a séance. Dorthea evidently saw into the Hadley's future, and it was so horrid that she refused to tell Florence what she saw.

1. Explain how you think Florence being a feminist affected Hadley and Hadley's own views on life. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

2. Discuss why the death of a sister to whom Hadley was close affected her and how you think it did. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

3. In what ways do you think Hadley's low opinion of herself due to her mother affected Hadley's marriage with Ernest Hemingway? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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