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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. In the second part of Act 1, who enters after Harry exits?

2. Why does Claire caution Tom to be careful?

3. Who worries that the cold weather will have adverse effects on the plants?

4. What is the one item that stands out in the greenhouse?

5. What does Harry confide to the two house guests after Claire exits?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Claire frustrated by her inability to explain the importance of her plants?

2. What does Harry realize when he sees that Claire has strangled Tom?

3. Why is Harry angry the first time he appears onstage?

4. What is the symbolism of the tower room?

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

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

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

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

9. What is the symbolic meaning of "The Breath of Life" in this play?

10. Following Tom's rejection of her advances in the tower room, what does Claire do?

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

Is Claire, a clear failure as a wife and mother, a suitable role model for women of the time period? Why does the playwright choose to make her protagonist act so coldly toward her family?

Essay Topic 3

Why is the play titled, "The Verge"? The main characters are on the verge of what? The greenhouse plants are on the verge of what? Society is on the verge of what?

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This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample