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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 does Anthony try to distract Claire from worrying about the plant that is not thriving?

2. Who is the first house guest to arrive at the greenhouse?

3. What does Claire try to explain to the men over breakfast?

4. What does the second house guest bring from the house?

5. What does the second house guest do when he sees that no one can help him enter the greenhouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting of Act 2.

2. What is the connection between Claire and Elizabeth?

3. After being rejected by Tom and hearing the doctor's diagnosis, who does Claire turn to next for comfort?

4. At the end of Act 2, what does Claire ask of Dick while they embrace?

5. Claire's internal struggle indicates her desire for what?

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

7. How does Harry react to Claire's actions, yelling to Tom for rescue?

8. How does Anthony respond to Hattie's information?

9. What does Claire do as a result of her anger and disillusionment with Tom?

10. What is Anthony doing when the curtain opens for the second time in Act 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Claire prefer her greenhouse plants to grow wild and untamed? Does this mesh with the extreme care she takes to protect the plants from nature? How do these answers support the theme of the play?

Essay Topic 2

How does the playwright use sound to illustrate Claire's need to find meaning in her life at the expense of others? Consider the wind, the buzzer, and the Victrola as examples.

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)

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