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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 Arthur state that he thinks of the final chapter as the "kiln?"

2. What is Norah doing when Reta first sees her in the hospital?

3. What does Reta call the "worry word" of life?

4. Why does Arthur tell Reta the day after Christmas that he has been up all night?

5. According to Arthur, Roman is an ___________ and ___________ character.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lois's true opinion of what happened to Norah that she is afraid to express?

2. Why does Reta sign her letter to Dennis Ford-Halpern, "Yours, Rita Orange d'Ville"?

3. Why don't the Winters' want to discuss the fact that Norah probably gave her Christmas package away?

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. 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?

6. What is Reta's impression of Arthur Springer when she finally meets him at her home in January and how do they get into a heated discussion?

7. How does Emma, Reta's journalist friend, try to comfort her and how is it significant?

8. What rationale does Reta offer about the importance of novels despite moral injustice in the world?

9. In her letter about the death of Peter Harding, how does Reta compare herself to Norah?

10. Why does Reta make an exception in sending her letter to Russell Sandor, a short story writer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Healing, both physical and psychological, is significant to the characters' recovery in the novel. Identify the ways in which the Winters family heals from the stress and trauma over the past year.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss grief as a major theme of the novel, especially the expression of suffering, responding to the following questions:

1. How does Reta cope with her grief?

2. How are Norah's actions a manifestation of grief?

3. What is the relationship between memory and grief?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of language in "Unless"? Identify and discuss the following relationships and its significance for the characters:

1. Language and identity.

2. Language and truth.

3. Language and power.

(see the answer keys)

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