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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 long has it been since Esther has slept?

2. Which of the following is NOT a privilege given to residents of Belsize?

3. How does Esther learn of the circumstances that led to her rescue from the basement?

4. What complaint do all of the patients at the hospital have of Esther's volunteer work?

5. Why does Dr. Nolan restrict Esther's visitors?

Short Essay Questions

1. What thoughts consume Esther after finding out she must have shock treatments?

2. What do the voices in Esther's head tell her as she sits in the park contemplating suicide?

3. Describe the circumstances that led to Esther's hospitalization.

4. What news does Esther expect Dr. Nolan to give her after her insulin reaction? What news does she actually give her?

5. What does Dr. Nolan tell Esther to help her feel better about Joan's death?

6. What keeps Esther from drowning herself at the beach?

7. Describe Irwin

8. Describe Esther's feelings about the women living in Belsize

9. How does Esther feel as she is waiting to enter her exit hearing?

10. What is the only item that gives Esther pleasure in the hospital? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Bell Jar is often considered a "coming of age" story. In your essay:

1) describe Esther's journey from adolescence into adulthood

2) describe and comment on the events in her life that help her transition between adolescence and adulthood

3) discuss how successful her transition was. Is she an adult at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Be sure to cite specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout The Bell Jar, Esther moves between the present and the past. Select three of the flashback scenes and:

1) describe what happens in each of these scenes

2) discuss the significance of each scene in Esther's life

3) discuss how the flashback scene relates to the "present" time scene it is embedded in.

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

Essay Topic 3

In The Bell Jar, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select two of the following minor characters to analyze: Doreen, Joan, Buddy Willard, Mrs. Greenwood and Jay Cee. Discuss:

1) the personality (character traits) of this character

2) the relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story

3) the impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

(see the answer keys)

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