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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. Who takes Mrs. Wendall to all of her appointments at the clinic?

2. To whom does Loretta go for help while Howard is gone?

3. How does Mrs. Wendall react to the barn fire?

4. Why is the person Loretta goes to unable to help her?

5. What is Loretta's situation at the beginning of the second book?

Short Essay Questions

1. To whom does Maureen write her letters?

2. How does Jules feel after his father's funeral?

3. Why does Howard leave the farm in Chapter 6 of the first book?

4. How does Loretta feel about Howard's absence?

5. What is the content of Maureen's letters?

6. What is happening to Maureen as she begins to come out of her catatonia?

7. What has changed about Maureen as a result of her catatonia?

8. What does Jules tell Vera about love?

9. What is the significance of the letters that Maureen writes?

10. What is Jules and Nadine's relationship like after their reunion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jules and Maureen are both very optimistic as children, but are also capable of detaching themselves from frightening or emotionally damaging situations, such as their father's death. Is this an odd combination of character traits? Why or why not? What is the ultimate result of their hopefulness? Do you think that Betty is justified in ridiculing her siblings for their optimistic attitudes? Why or why not? In what ways are they similar to Loretta as a child? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The author states that Maureen's character is based upon one of the author's former university students. Do you think that everything that occurs in the novel, therefore, is true? Why or why not? If not, which parts do you think are fictionalized or exaggerated? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The author barely mentions Loretta's two youngest children, Betty and Ronnie. Why do you think they are such minor characters? Why does the author focus only on Loretta's two oldest children? Would you, as a reader, have liked to know more about the two younger children? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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