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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. On what date did Laura write of finally getting her period?

2. What did Laura vow to do before anyone could hurt her on November 20, 1985?

3. At what time of night is Laura's August 4, 1986 written?

4. What drug does Laura write of experiencing on October 12, 1985?

5. What does Laura write it seems she hasn't done in years on June 21, 1986?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the change in narrative style in Part 5, August 3, 1986 to October 1, 1986. What causes the change?

2. What characteristics of Laura's are essential and interconnected to the plot of the narrative?

3. Describe the thematic and symbolic elements which begin to emerge in the narrative in Laura's 14th year. What themes emerge?

4. What does the death of Laura's cat foreshadow in the narrative? How?

5. What themes arise in Laura's entries from Part 3, October 3 1985 to December 16, 1985? What motifs?

6. Whose death does Laura mourn in the entries from October 3, 1985? What is the subject of these entries?

7. To whom does Laura write directly in her entry from September 15, 1984? Why?

8. What is the subject of Laura's poem on November 13, 1985? Who is referenced in the poem?

9. Describe the major thematic elements in Part 5, August 3, 1986 to October 1, 1986. How do these reflect the protagonist?

10. When and where does Laura write her entry from August 6, 1986?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jennifer Lynch's use of symbolism and metaphor in The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer. What is significant about owls, the woods, and other supernatural elements?

Essay Topic 2

Who killed Laura Palmer? Why? What is the conclusion of the narrative? How does this relate to the television series and film?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Laura's relationships with Johnny Horne and Harold Smith. What similarities are there in each? What differences?

(see the answer keys)

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