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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 is the first thing the audience sees in Act 1?

2. Who tries to get Claire to come to the phone upon Elizabeth's arrival?

3. Who is the only character onstage when the curtain opens for the second time in Act 1?

4. What does the blizzard symbolize?

5. What happens after the first character onstage exits?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tom respond to Claire's request in order for the door to be unlocked?

2. After some order has been restored in the greenhouse, Anthony remind everyone it is time to do what?

3. Anthony explains to Harry that Claire gave him what two orders?

4. When the curtain opens for the second time in Act 1, what is the setting?

5. Why does Claire ask Anthony to view the plant first?

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

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

8. Describe what the audience sees when the curtain first opens in Act 1.

9. When Claire and Tom are alone with "The Breath of Life," what offer does he make to her?

10. What is the profession of Claire's lover, Tom? How is his profession indicative of his character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the primary theme of the play? How is the theme supported by setting and plot?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What Victorian values are represented by Harry and Adelaide in the play? Why are these values so distasteful to Claire?

(see the answer keys)

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