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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 does Stephanie claim the other women in her family have that she does not?

2. Does Stephanie get mad at Morelli when she learns he has concealed Andy Roche's purpose?

3. In Chapter Eleven, what happens to Spiro to put him in the hospital?

4. What does Stephanie plan to swear off following the case?

5. What act does Lula perform to gain entry into Spiro's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Stephanie physically describe the women in her family and how does this match up with their character?

2. Stephanie observes that the widow of the fingerless man has never experienced independence and will not know how to handle independence now that her husband has died. How is this different from Stephanie's lifestyle?

3. What does the fact that Stephanie's mother tried to set Stephanie up with Spiro say about her mother's judgment?

4. Describe the type of style the women in the 'Burg aspire to. Does caring about beauty and fashion make them seem oppressed?

5. Kenny's acts of violence start small and then progress into larger, more grotesque actions. Explain the escalation.

6. Why does it seem as though Joyce Barnhardt has had it out for Stephanie throughout their entire life?

7. What has changed about Stephanie's bedroom from the time she lived there in high school? What does this say about how Stephanie's mother views her?

8. Although Stephanie takes on many odd jobs to make ends meet, her true passion is as a bounty hunter. How do her other jobs add or subtract to this aspiration?

9. In Chapter Thirteen, Stephanie uses Grandma Mazur as a weapon against Vinnie. How does Grandma Mazur use her power over Vinnie to keep Stephanie employed, and what does this say about the power structure in the 'Burg?

10. Grandma Mazur buys clothing similar to Stephanie in Chapter Thirteen. Why do you feel she does this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author utilizes symbols throughout the story. From each of the following examples, explain what each object symbolizes in Stephanie's life. Explain how each symbol reflects an aspect of Stephanie's life and how it serves the story.

1. The Buick

2. The Sexy Purple Shoes

3. The Gun in the Jar

Essay Topic 2

Both Stephanie's Jeep and the Buick are used to compound what is happening in the story. Working with either the Buick or the Jeep, cite several moments from the story where what happens with the vehicles mirror what happens to Stephanie and tell why.

Essay Topic 3

For someone portrayed as such a strong woman, Stephanie seems weak turning down the advances of Spiro. What attributes to this?

Part 1) Consider the many situations with Spiro that Stephanie is forced into. Did she put herself in those situations or was it due to outside forces?

Part 2) Debate why Stephanie chooses to avoid telling Spiro she is not interested in him. Is this behavior fair to Spiro?

Part 3) When Stephanie finally parts ways from Spiro, it is not through her hand. Normally such a strong character, what does this say about Stephanie when it comes to men and relationships?

(see the answer keys)

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