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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 is the woman who sets herself on fire outside of Honest Ed's wearing?

2. According to Lois, who makes fun of the list in her recipe box?

3. What month does Reta finally meet Arthur Springer for the first time at her home?

4. Why is Reta alarmed by the sight of Norah's hands?

5. Who insists that Norah is reacting to her state of powerlessness in society during Norah's visit with her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. At the hospital, what does Natalie reveal about the injuries to Norah's hands?

4. When Reta and Tom consult a psychiatrist about Norah, what does he tell them and how do they respond?

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

6. Why does Reta call Dennis Ford-Halpern's omission of women in his book "The Goodness Gap" a "moral dilemma in itself"?

7. How does Arthur feel about Roman, the other main character in Reta's novel?

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

9. Why does an older friend of Reta's advise her to read obituaries as a young writer?

10. When Tom calls to inform Reta that Norah is in the hospital, how does the point of view change in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

How does Shields portray heroines in the novel? Respond to the following:

1. What characters can be regarded as tragic heroines?

2. Discuss Reta's ideas about heroines and heroism.

3. How are the heroines in the novel in opposition to society?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, Reta has several flashbacks about Norah in the weeks before her disappearance. Choose three memories and discuss what they reveal about Reta, Norah, and the nature of their relationship.

(see the answer keys)

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