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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Arnold adopting David?

2. What does the author seem to be revealing in this scene?

3. What has Laurel done?

4. Why does Laurel say she is not inviting Alan and Arnold to her parent's home?

5. To whom is Ed reading?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Fugue in a Nursery, Coda," several things are revealed: Laurel leaves Ed; Ed justifies sex with Alan, and Alan and Arnold commit to a permanent relationship. Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Trace the development and the ups and downs of Arnold and Ed's relationship. Evaluate the various phases of their relationship and give your opinions and evaluation of the relationship.

2. The men seem to think of the sexual liaison between Alan and Arnold as basic human frailties, while Laurel seems to view it as a serious hindrance to Ed and her relationship. Discuss the stereotyped differences between men and women's attitudes toward sex, monogamy and intimacy; then comment about whether you think these stereotypes are more or less accurate in reality.

3. Alan and Arnold seem to work out their relationship (at least for now) despite Alan's infidelity; whereas, Ed and Laurel are having a rougher time getting past Ed's infidelity. In evaluting both couples' relationships as revealed throughout the entire trilogy, discuss what are the signs and foreshadowing that the two couples would resolve the problem in the way that they did. Which couple do you think was the wiser? Healthier? Had a stronger desire to be together?

Essay Topic 2

Many times during the era when this play is written, and even now in the first decade of the 21st century, the stereotype of homosexuals, especially male homosexuals, was that they were promiscuous and both unwilling and unable to commit in a loving, monogamous relationship. Discuss the following ideas in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Do you believe the characters in this play exhibit the stereotype discussed above? Support your answer with specific details from the text.

2. How do you think stereotypes are developed? Name several stereotypes you know about several groups or types of people. How accurate do you think those stereotypes are? Which of the stereotypes which you discussed in number 2 do you believe are true? Which do not seem to be true? Explain your answer.

3. Do you belong to a group for which there are stereotypes? How does that make you feel?

4. If you do not belong to a group which tend to be stereotyped, think of some negative characteristic or trait and pretend it is a stereotype for a group to which you belong (gender, race, age, etc.) How would you feel if everyone you met assumed you possessed that characteristic even before the person got to know you?

Essay Topic 3

In the second "Fugue in a Nursery, Stretto," Ed seduces Alan in the barn despite being in a supposedly monogamous relationship with Laurel. Discuss the following ideas in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Why do you think Ed is so attracted to Alan?

2. Do you think Ed is actually gay and cannot resist being with men? Explain.

3. Do you think what Ed does is immoral? If yes, for what reasons? If no, why not?

4. Is it possible that Ed is bisexual? If so, how do you think he can resolve wanting to be with both men and women? Is a monogamous relationship possible for a bisexual individual?

(see the answer keys)

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