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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 do Peter and Simeon taunt Ephraim with when he enters, in Desire Under the Elms?

2. In Part 2 of Desire Under the Elms, Ephraim prays, "An' God hearkened unto _____!".

3. Who does Eben cry out to for not saving the baby in Part 3 of Desire Under the Elms?

4. Who says, "All the other women in the world aren't worth your little finger" in Strange Interlude?

5. What does Abbie say will beat Eben in Part 2 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. How does Evans know Darrell in Strange Interlude? How does he feel about him?

3. How does Nina feel about her family in Act 7 of Strange Interlude? How does she feel about her life and about Darrell?

4. What are Marsden's thoughts at the beginning of Act 1 in Strange Interlude?

5. What does Ephraim say to Eben in Part 3 of Desire Under the Elms that causes Eben to lash out at Abbie?

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

7. What does Nina reveal in reading aloud her letter in Act 3 of Strange Interlude?

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

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

10. Describe the conversation between Ephraim and Abbie in their bedroom in Part 2 in Desire Under the Elms. What do the stage directions denote in this scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of revenge as it applies to all three plays in the collection. How is revenge represented differently in each play? How is it one of the cohesive themes which bind the plays?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of "Ghosts of the Past" as they are reflected in each of the three plays of the collection (including all three plays of the Electra trilogy). What symbols are used to reflect the theme?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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