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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 Lois knock on the door to investigate when Arthur is in the house by himself?
2. In Reta's letter to Ford-Halpern, what is "an endless series of obstacles, an alignment of locked doors"?
3. In her review of a female author, Helt states that all relationships are seen through the lens of what?
4. Why is Reta alarmed by the sight of Norah's hands?
5. According to the friend who advised Reta as a young writer, what do obituaries contain?
Short Essay Questions
1. According to Gemma Walsh, Reta's friend who has been appointed Chair of Theology, the Christian faith is balance on the words "already" and "not yet." Why does Reta find this significant?
2. How do the meetings with her friends at the Orange Blossom Room ground Reta in reality?
3. At the end of the novel, what do we learn about the reason for Norah's disappearance and subsequent homelessness?
4. As Reta and Arthur have their heated discussion, what three things happen that interrupt them that provide comic relief to the serious conversation?
5. Why does Reta sign her letter to Dennis Ford-Halpern, "Yours, Rita Orange d'Ville"?
6. Why does an older friend of Reta's advise her to read obituaries as a young writer?
7. Why does Reta feel that Arthur's suggestion to focus on Roman instead of Alicia is an egregious one?
8. How does Emma, Reta's journalist friend, try to comfort her and how is it significant?
9. Why is Lois's conversation with Arthur when she comes over to investigate about dinner significant?
10. Why don't the Winters' want to discuss the fact that Norah probably gave her Christmas package away?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the role of conflict in "Unless." Discuss Reta's conflict with society. Discuss Norah's conflict with society.
Essay Topic 2
Discuss the role of setting in the novel, responding to the following questions:
1. What facts about the city of Toronto relate directly or indirectly to the lives of the characters?
2. What facts about the time in which the novel is set, 2000-2001, relate directly or indirectly to the novel's themes and overall meaning?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss the role of minor characters in the novel.
1. Identify three minor characters and their relationship to the major characters.
2. Describe these three minor characters' physical and psychological attributes. Are they flat or round?
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This section contains 823 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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