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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. Why does Natalie thank Reta on Christine's birthday in October?

2. According to Reta, what is the most important aspect in her life?

3. What kind of woman does Reta realize she cannot create for a heroine in her novel?

4. What does Reta discover behind the furnace that belonged to the previous owners?

5. What is the name of Reta's new novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the American election results in Florida that Tom, Christine, and Natalie watch relate to Norah's absence?

2. Why does Reta wake up with anxiety about cleaning her house?

3. Why does Reta view her trip to the library as a way of reconnecting with Norah?

4. According to Ben, how has Norah changed in the few weeks prior to her disappearance?

5. Describe Reta's peculiar behavior when she visits Norah in early November.

6. Why does Danielle believe that Norah has embraced her powerlessness in society by living as a homeless person?

7. How do Natalie and Christine attempt to give the impression that Norah's absence is part of a normal routine?

8. Why does Reta realize that she cannot create a perfect woman as a hero in her novel?

9. Describe life in the Winters' household.

10. Why is Reta reluctant to give Arthur Springer a first draft of her novel, and what does it reveal about her writing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shields uses the first-person point of view to show Reta's thoughts and actions, though the focus of the novel is the mystery of Norah's disappearance and subsequent homelessness. Respond to the following questions:

1. Why do you think Shields chose the first-person instead of third-person ("she")?

2. How would the novel be different if the story was told from Norah's point of view?

3. Since the first-person is a limited perspective, how would using an omniscient point of view change the tone or meaning of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of conflict in "Unless." Discuss Reta's conflict with society. Discuss Norah's conflict with society.

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, marriage is portrayed as a complicated and sometimes fraught union between two people. How does Shields characterize Reta and Tom's marriage? Does she portray them as happily married? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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