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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. To what kind of historical figures does Louis compare himself in Section 6?

2. What one word is repeated throughout Susan's monologue in Section 6?

3. What does Rhoda offer to Percival in Section 5?

4. What should the reader infer that Rhoda is thinking about at the end of her Section 7 monologue?

5. What significant fact do we learn about Louis's love-life in the course of his major Section 7 monologue?

Short Essay Questions

1. Characterize the way Bernard appears in Section 5.

2. The first thing the reader learns in Section 5 is that Percival has died. How did he die, and who does it seem to have the strongest effect on?

3. What is most notable about Section 5's opening description and why?

4. Describe how Susan appears in Section 6.

5. How is Section 6's opening description distinct, and what should the reader expect from the rest of the section?

6. Elaborate on what Rhoda identifies as the problems the characters have faced in their lives in Section 8.

7. Describe how Jinny appears in Section 6.

8. What is significant about how Rhoda appears in Section 7?

9. Characterize Neville's state of mind as he appears at the end of Section 6.

10. Why is it significant that Bernard is not the first speaker in Section 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on your familiarity and knowledge of the Modernist movement, how is this text the typical Modernist novel? What of its features are "Modernist?" What topics does it tackle that make it "Modernist?"

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the novel's two most troubled characters: Rhoda and Neville. Identify their weaknesses as individuals, and offer the sources of their peculiarities. This essay should include detailed descriptions and evaluations of each of these characters and even offer ideas as to how they function similarly and differently.

Essay Topic 3

Write a detailed essay that argues that Percival is either: 1) an intrinsic character to the novel, made only more important by the fact that he doesn't speak and dies at the novel's midpoint or 2) a kind of outlier or distraction, both for the characters in the text and the reader. In the course of this essay evaluate Percival's significance, his effect on each of the characters, and the role his death plays in shaping other character's lives.

(see the answer keys)

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