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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jim encourage Maureen to do?

2. Which character is central in Chapter 7 of the second book?

3. How long have Jim and his wife been married?

4. What is happening to Maureen during her recovery?

5. What is Maureen doing at the beginning of the third book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brock is a minor character in the novel, but he plays an important role. He is the reason why Loretta meets and marries Howard, and he is also the one to bring Maureen out of her catatonia. How can these two very dissimilar actions--his murder of Bernie, and his role in Maureen's recovery--be resolved in terms of his character? Why do you think the author chooses to assign both of these important, and very different, actions to a single character? Knowing all that you do about Brock, what is your opinion of his character? Why do you think he disappears from the plot so suddenly? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Books one and two both end with a catastrophic event for one of the main characters. Why do you think that the author decided to structure the novel this way? What are the benefits of creating such a structure? What are the drawbacks? What are some other ways in which the author might have chosen to structure the novel? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

None of Loretta's husbands were very good people. Why do you think this is so? Why did she choose to marry men who were poor providers, and poor caretakers for her children? Were there any better men for her to choose from? Do you think she even realized that her husbands were poor choices? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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