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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 Tom confide to Dick?

2. What does Claire require the second house guest to do before she will let him enter the greenhouse?

3. What happens after the first character onstage exits?

4. What is the relationship between Harry and Claire?

5. What does Harry confide to the first house guest?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry confide to Tom and Dick, and what response does he receive?

2. At the beginning of Act 3, what does Hattie urgently tell Anthony?

3. Claire agrees to unlock the door for Tom under what condition?

4. What is the symbolism of the tower room?

5. Why is Anthony upset when Dick rushes into the greenhouse for shelter?

6. Who is the first house guest to enter the greenhouse, and what is his first topic of conversation?

7. Describe the reaction of Claire when Anthony brings the blooming plant into the room, as contrasted with the reactions of the men?

8. When Claire becomes frustrated with Elizabeth due to her attitude toward the plants, what does Claire do?

9. Describe the attitudes of Claire and Elizabeth when they first meet face to face in Act 1.

10. What does Claire repeatedly try to explain to everyone regarding her plants?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Given Claire's disdain for traditional womanly roles such as being a good wife, a loving mother, or a proper hostess, what values might she admire in a woman and aspire to for herself? How do these values uphold the general tone of the play in which Claire's unrest represents the struggles of women in the early days of the Women's Movement?

Essay Topic 2

Research and discuss the historical context of this play. What rights were denied to women at the time, and what rights or choices did some women of the time seek to gain?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Claire so unwilling or unable to show love to her daughter, Elizabeth? Do you believe Elizabeth was raised by Adelaide because there was too much tension between Claire and Elizabeth, or is there tension between Claire and Elizabeth because Elizabeth was raised by Adelaide?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 679 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample