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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. In the poem "Hearthside," what does the narrator dream of?

2. According to "General Review of the Sex Situation," what is the biggest challenge that men and women face in their relationships?

3. Where is the newlywed couple going for their honeymoon?

4. What kind of necklace do Annabel and Midge see in the window of the jewelry shop?

5. Where are the couple in the train car headed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the irony in the end of the short story "The Waltz"?

2. What trouble does the man in "You Were Perfectly Fine" create when he lies about remembering the taxi ride?

3. In "Arrangement in Black and White," what do the woman's behavior and comments at the dinner party reveal about her?

4. In the short story "A Telephone Call," how does the narrator rationalize her irrational behavior?

5. What does Mr. Durant's response to the dog reveal about him?

6. Compare and contrast the poems "The Trifler" and "Braggart."

7. In the short story, "The Wonderful Old Gentleman," what influence has the Old Gentleman had on the Bains' lives in the five years that he has lived with them?

8. What message about love is conveyed by the poem "A Very Short Song"?

9. Why is the girl in "The Sexes" rude to the young man?

10. How might Mrs. Martindale solve Mrs. Wyman's problem and her own at the same time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Dorothy Parker's use of death imagery in both her short stories and her poetry. What purposes does this imagery serve? What themes do these images support? Be sure to use specific evidence and quotations to prove your observations.

Essay Topic 2

Social equality is a common theme in Dorothy Parker's work. Explain how she uses her short stories, poetry, and essays to attack racism and promote racial equality. Include specific examples and quotations to help support your points.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Dorothy Parker's writing style in her essays. How does this style compare to her short stories and poetry? How do her tone and word choice compare? What types of imagery does she use? How does her writing style influence the effectiveness of her essays? Be sure to include specific examples and quotations to support your observations.

(see the answer keys)

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