View a FREE sample

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 name of the singer on the stage?

2. Where does Laurel live?

3. Over what does Ed feel discomfort?

4. What does Murray look like?

5. Why does Ed date a woman as well as Arnold?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are two examples of how Arnold rationalizes his behavior?

2. What is the significance of the term "Stretto" in this scene?

3. Define the term "fugue," and how it is applicable in this scene.

4. Why do you think the author uses the word "Stretto" again in naming this scene?

5. What is Mrs. Beckoff's response to news of the impending adoption of David?

6. What in this scene indicates the differences between the two couples?

7. Give a brief description of the opening to this scene.

8. How do each of the men (Ed and Arnold) feel about the possibility of a renewed relationship?

9. When scene 3 opens, who is on the stage and what is he doing?

10. What does Arnold reveal in his one-sided dialogue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following ideas in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. The title of this scene is "Fugue in a Nursery, Codetta." Define the word "codetta" as it applies to music.

2. How do you think a codetta applies to this scene?

3. What do you think the dominant theme of this scene is? Does this relate to the idea of a codetta?

4. If you were a musician, what type of music would you use in this scene (jazz, classical, rock, heavy metal, rap, etc...) Why?

Essay Topic 2

In "Fugue in a Nursery, Nursery: A Fugue," the action takes place in a huge bed in which Arnold, Alan, Laurel, and Ed all sit or recline depending on the action. The stage lights focus only on the characters that are speaking at the time, a staging element that eliminates the need for scenery. The characters stay in the bed even though they could be at completely different locations throughout the act. Discuss one of the following topics in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. How effective do you think this type of staging is?

2. If you were a director, how would you direct this type of staging?

3. Do you think this scene is staged this way solely to eliminate the need for scenery? What other reason might the author have for setting the stage this way?

4. Do you think an author should give any, many, or all the stage directions for a play s/he writes? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

In "Fugue in a Nursery, Codetta," Ed reads a newspaper to Laurel about a love affair between an 80-year-old woman and a boy of fifteen. Discuss one of the following topics in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. The American culture is often characterized as being preoccupied with youth. Do you think the reality of an actual love affair between a 15 year old and an 80 year old has even happened in a culture such as the United States? What are the legal ramifications of such a romance? Disregarding any sexual aspects of such a relationship, what do you think two people of such disparate ages would have in common? In what areas would there likely be conflicts? Could you imagine being in a relationship with someone several decades older than you are? Explain.

2. A "cultist" movie called Harold and Maud was released in 1971. It was centered around just such a relationship as that mentioned in Torch Song Trilogy between a teen and an elderly woman. Watch the movie and write a literary criticism on it, including a personal "reader (viewer) response."

3. In many cultures today, and most in earlier centuries, marriages were arranged around political and financial goals for those in the higher echelons of a country. Often a child was engaged to an adult and the marriage is consummated when the child is of acceptable age. Discuss the following question using specific examples: Would you prefer to be of the wealthy class and have a life of privilege but have an arranged marriage to someone you detest, or would you prefer to be a peasant who worked in hard physical labor but was able to choose your spouse? Discuss the pros and cons of both situations and then explain why you would choose whichever you choose.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,446 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample