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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. How does Polly's mother become while trying to understand Polly?

2. What disturbs Polly's sleep that night?

3. What happens when Henry arrives?

4. In what predicament does Henry find himself?

5. What does Polly do when she loses her temper?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Polly play near the river and how are her friends described?

2. For whom is this book written and what is it about?

3. What does Polly resolve to do concerning Agatha and Eunice, and how is her first attempt disastrous?

4. What is the Coven Tree Church Social and who is allowed to set up a booth there?

5. What does Rowena hear in the woods and what does she find?

6. How does Sam react to hearing Henry Piper's name?

7. What does Polly talk about at tea, and what do Eunice and Agatha talk about?

8. What does Polly want to ask her mother and why is she reluctant to do so?

9. What does Polly worry about the next morning and how is she initially reassured?

10. What do Agatha and Eunice try to do at tea the next day and how does Polly respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Wish Giver". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brittain chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brittain chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Brittain's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Brittain use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Wish Giver". Questions that Brittain most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Brittain' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Brittain' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Brittain and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 928 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample