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

2. How long has it been since Esther has slept?

3. What trait does Dr. Nolan say women find attractive in each other?

4. Who do Esther and Joan both get letters from?

5. Why does Valerie have scars on her head?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the circumstances that led to Joan's hospitalization.

2. What does Dr. Nolan tell Esther about shock treatments in this chapter?

3. What does Esther do at Deer Island?

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

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

6. Describe Esther's encounter with the sailor

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

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

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

10. How does the private hospital staff compare to those at the public hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

There are several characters who influence the person that the narrator becomes. Select the two characters who you believe have the greatest impact on her development and:

1) describe each character's actions or beliefs as they relate to Esther

2) discuss the impact of this character on Esther's life and personality

3) discuss why you selected each particular character. What about each character made him/her more of an influence on Esther than others?

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

(see the answer keys)

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