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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 first publication of The Journals of Sylvia Plath, Hughes commented how in the last several years of her life, Sylvia had found ______________.

2. In the second version of The Journals of Sylvia Plath, Hughes indicated that he might be able to get his hands on what?

3. When was The Bell Jar first published?

4. Toward the end of her life, according to Alvarez, Sylvia Plath developed a problem with ___________.

5. From 1956 to 1966, A. Alvarez was the poetry editor and critic for what publication?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Aurelia Plath have published regarding Sylvia after her death? Why?

2. What correspondence did Malcolm have with Olwyn Hughes in Part One: Chapter IV? What was illustrated through the letters?

3. How did Janet Malcolm compare her writing to Anne Stevenson's in college? What was Stevenson's career like?

4. What was A. Alvarez's first impression of Ted and Sylvia? How did that opinion change?

5. How did Janet Malcolm know Anne Stevenson in their youth? What was Malcolm's opinion of her?

6. What power did Olwyn Hughes have over the Plath Library? What was Malcolm's impression of her after working with her on the book?

7. What struggle did Ted face after the death of Sylvia Plath?

8. Aurelia Plath's intentions in having her daughter's letters published is implied to be in retaliation for what?

9. Ted Hughes wrote two introductions to The Journals of Sylvia Plath. What did he write in the first introduction, and when was this edition published?

10. What did Olwyn Hughes offer Anne Stevenson if she would write a biography about Sylvia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Linda Wagner-Martin and Ronald Hayman. When was Wagner-Martin's biography written? Was it published?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Sylvia Plath's father and his relationship with the author. How is this relationship depicted in "Daddy"?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze The Bell Jar and its depiction of Sylvia's relationship with her mother. What about the work did Aurelia find "ungrateful"?

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