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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 what point of view is the story written?

2. What does John cry for to break down the door?

3. What does the narrator believe cultivates deceit?

4. What does John promise the narrator?

5. Fill in the blanks respectively: I _________ at nothing, and ________most of the time.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator abruptly end her narration in the first few pages?

2. Where does the narrator think she sees the woman in the wallpaper?

3. At what point does this short story hit its climax?

4. What does this quote suggest: “It is so pleasant to be out in this great room and creep around as I please.”

5. In 1862, what was the standard cure for depression, specifically after a woman has had a baby?

6. What does the woman in the wallpaper do to shake the pattern?

7. What major life event has the narrator just endured?

8. Why does the narrator feel bad for the woman in the wallpaper?

9. How does the narrator initially describe the wallpaper?

10. The narrator believes the wallpaper has an odor. How does she describe the odor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator has been prescribed strict rest, which prohibits her from reading or writing. Why does she choose to do so anyway? Why does writing bring her comfort?

Essay Topic 2

A rest-cure was often prescribed for a variety of mental illnesses in the 1800’s. Why does the narrator believe that something to keep her mind busy is actually better for her than following her husband’s prescription when he is a physician?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator describes John as “practical in the extreme” in the opening pages—how is this demonstrated throughout the story?

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