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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 Simeon's brother's name in Desire Under the Elms?

2. How long has Darrell been away in Act 7 of Strange Interlude?

3. What does Marsden say that Darrell seemed when he encountered him abroad?

4. Who has Nina taught to take care of her father while she's gone?

5. How much time passes between Scenes 1 and 2 in Part 3 of Desire Under the Elms?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do the conflicts arise between the family in Desire Under the Elms? How do the characters' objectives lead to the essential conflict?

2. Who is Eben said to resemble in Desire Under the Elms?

3. What does Abbie confess to Eben in Part 3 in Desire Under the Elms? What is his reaction?

4. Describe the thematic elements which are shared by Desire Under the Elms and the other plays in the collection.

5. How does Eben's position in the household contribute to his conflicts over the estate in Desire Under the Elms?

6. Describe the symbolism of the fence on the Cabot farm in Desire Under the Elms.

7. How does Gordon feel about Darrell in Act 7 of Strange Interlude? How does he respond to Darrell's comments about Evans?

8. Why does Nina say she's going away in Act 1 of Strange Interlude?

9. What does Darrell tell Marsden about Nina's behavior at the hospital in Strange Interlude?

10. What do Abbie and Eben say to one another alone in the beginning of Part 3 in Desire Under the Elms?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the innovations which O'Neill introduced to the theater in each of these plays. Why did the police attempt to shut down O'Neill's works in New York? What is risque about these plays for their time?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the plot of Homecoming and how it relates to Agamemnon of the Oresteia. Which characters are reflected in each play? How are the actions similar? How does the plot deviate?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the objectives and actions of the character of Darrell in Strange Interlude. What about this character is noble? What are his negative qualities and actions? What does he want?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 982 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample