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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 does Esther tell Frankie her name is?

2. How does Ladies' Day determine what causes the girls' sickness?

3. Who is Philomena Guinea?

4. What faux pas does Esther make with the bellman when she first arrives at the Amazon?

5. Why does Esther think that Mr. Willard is telling her that he and his wife had always wanted a daughter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Marco attack Esther?

2. What is Eric's philosophy on sexual relationships?

3. How does Jay Cee attempt to cheer Esther up the day of the photo shoot?

4. Why is Esther upset when Buddy tells her he is no longer a virgin?

5. What is Esther's standing joke with her grandfather about caviar?

6. Describe the birth scene that Esther and Buddy witness from Esther's point of view

7. Describe Buddy's letter to Esther (that is waiting for her when she gets home).

8. Describe the article that Esther's mother gives her from Reader's Digest ("In Defense of Chastity").

9. Describe what runs through Esther's head when she and Constantin are visiting the UN.

10. Why does Jay Cee want Esther to come into the office instead of attending the fur show?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator talks about Joan being Esther's double. Compare and contrast these two characters focusing on:

1) their personality traits

2) their progression towards mental illness

3) their progression towards recovery from mental illness.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Esther's family live has a subtle but important effect on the changes that she undergoes throughout the novel. Discuss:

1) Esther's family dynamics

2) the impact of Esther's family life on her personal life

3) how Esther's life would have been different if both of her parents had been alive.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The Bell Jar is written from Esther's first person point of view. Write an essay examining the novel's point of view focusing on:

1) the narrator's bias

2) the amount of information given based on this point of view

3) comment on how the novel would be different if it was told from a different point of view.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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