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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 narrator suspect that she and Nell have in common?

2. What industry is the suspect mentioned in the file associated with?

3. What is the name of Winnie's boyfriend from when she was a teenager?

4. In Chapter Six, when the narrator is pacing inside her house, what does she automatically avoid?

5. What part of Patricia Faith's broadcast upsets Francie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Francie mention having seen on Patricia Faith's television show, and how does Nell react?

2. What does Nell have tattooed on her arm, and what does it mean to her?

3. When the police arrive at Nell's to question her, what memory from her past temporarily confuses her?

4. What does Colette discover on the mayor's desk, and what does she do with it?

5. What makes Colette feel like an impostor among the other May Mothers?

6. In Chapter Eleven, what does Francie decide the police need to investigate further?

7. What is Nell's theory about Token, and why does Colette believe Nell is probably mistaken?

8. Who is "Token," and what is the implied source of his nickname?

9. How do the Prologue and Chapter One characterize the narrator?

10. What is revealed about Colette's mother in Chapter Seven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Perfect Mother, both police and politicians are subjected to criticism from the media and the public. In what sense do the characterizations of Teb Shepherd and Mark Hoyt dispute the public's judgment? What does the eventual revelation of Nell's past involvement with Lachlan Raine contribute to the novel's portrait of politicians? How do the media and public reactions to Raine complicate the novel's picture of the public perception of politicians? Are politicians in this novel being judged more harshly than the police are? Write an essay that analyzes the novel's perspective on politicians and the police. Support your assertions with evidence drawn from throughout the text; be sure to cite any quoted evidence in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

In what sense does Gossip! magazine embody everything that The Perfect Mother is claiming is wrong with contemporary media? What factors influence the choices this magazine's staff makes, and how much weight do they give to truth and the social impact of their choices? Consider the magazine's name and the role that gossip plays in this novel as well as the way the women are portrayed in this magazine and women's role in creating and supporting this portrayal. Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the rhetorical function of including Gossip! magazine in this novel. Support your assertions with evidence drawn from throughout the text; be sure to cite any quoted evidence in MLA format.

Essay Topic 3

The Perfect Mother functions as a piece of entertainment, an intellectual puzzle, and a vehicle for several related social messages. How does Molloy use the conventions of mystery, (such as an opening that hooks the reader by creating questions and suspense, a strong atmosphere, high stakes, an engaging "sleuth," time pressure, clues, misdirection, foreshadowing, etc.) to accomplish one or more of these purposes? Write an essay in which you focus on how Molloy uses the conventions of mystery to entertain the reader, create an engaging puzzle, and/or convey messages about society. Support your assertions with evidence drawn from throughout the text; be sure to cite any quoted evidence and evidence drawn from outside sources in MLA format.

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