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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. In her letter to Ford-Halpern, how does Reta think other daughters can be protected from Norah's fate?

2. What newspaper does Emily Helt write for?

3. What does Reta mention in her letter about the obituary that she wants from the universe?

4. According to Reta, what is the most egregious change Arthur suggests she make in her novel?

5. According to Reta, what can "help us turn down the volume of our own interior discourse"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Reta and Lois's relationship.

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

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

4. Why is Lois's conversation with Arthur when she comes over to investigate about dinner significant?

5. Why does Arthur Springer call one day after Christmas and what is Reta's response?

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

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

8. How does the staff's response at the hostel regarding Norah's gloves indicate her invisibility as a street person?

9. As Reta and Arthur have their heated discussion, what three things happen that interrupt them that provide comic relief to the serious conversation?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Shields' portrayal of the media in the novel, responding to the following questions:

1. What role does the media have in advancing the plot?

2. What is Reta's relationship to the media?

3. Is it an amicable or hostile relationship and why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the role of family in the novel, responding to the following questions:

1. What responsibilities do family members share?

2. Does Shields portray the Winters family as being functional or dysfunctional?

3. How are the Winters family members treated?

4. Who is accepted as a family member and who is not?

(see the answer keys)

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