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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 do Margot and the person who introduces herself to Margot discuss?

2. Where does Margot think many repairs need to be made?

3. About what does Margot inadvertently learn while the train is traveling through France?

4. Where does Margot stay?

5. Of what does Margot give a brief history?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Margot's discussion of the library with Madre Badessa.

2. Where does Margot end up staying and what does she do on her first morning in Florence?

3. How does Margot react to the book that the postulants keep over night, and what is Madre Badessa's reaction?

4. Why is Margot drawn to some frescoes she views in the convent and how is that uncharacteristic of her?

5. Discuss the significance of Señor Bruni in Margot's life as a teenager.

6. Why are two of the postulants in trouble?

7. What are Margot's options for a room when she gets off the train in Florence?

8. How does Margot respond to working at the convent?

9. About what does Margot become curious while working at the convent, and what does she learn?

10. How is the monastery partially responsible for the possible damage to some of their frescoes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Margot refers to the poem her mother had loved by Robert Frost entitled "The Road Not Taken." Margot realizes that there is no "other road." Her only life is the one that she is living now. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze and give a reader response to Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken." Consider such things as imagery, metaphor, syntax, rhythm, and of course, meaning.

2. Take your analysis of "The Road Not Taken" and trace and analyze how it is relevant to The Sixteen Pleasures. What characters are most concerned with the road not taken? What character(s) have irretrievably lost something important by taking a different fork? What character(s) cannot recover from a poor choice made at various forks?

3. Discuss one or two of your own "roads not taken." Do you still regret taking one road versus another in a particular situation? Do you think it would be good to let go? Can you go back and travel the other road? What "difference" has the choice made for you?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character Margot. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Alessandro. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss two characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Sixteen Pleasures based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Sixteen Pleasures is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Sixteen Pleasures is a women's novel changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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