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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 does Mary do with a hundred lira note?

2. Of what nationality is Princess San Ferdinando?

3. From what does Mary try to save Matthew?

4. What does Karl point out to Mary as they are driving to her villa?

5. What did Mary know about that Matthew tried to hide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mary think about Edgar's job prospects?

2. Why does Rowley propose to Mary and how does she respond?

3. What happens to distress Mary about Matthew?

4. What does Mary say about why she marries Matthew Panton?

5. How does Mary end up driving Rowley to his hotel and what happens?

6. How does Mary meet Karl Richter?

7. What sort of arrangements does Edgar make with Ciro?

8. Why is Mary conflicted about attending the party?

9. What does Mary point out about Rowley's reputation and what is his response?

10. What is paradoxical about the Princess's personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting as far as place and time play an important role in Up at the Villa, if compared to twenty-first century's social mores. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the setting of that day from how it would be today. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. Do you think Up at the Villa would be different if it were set in the United States of America in that same era? Consider particularly class issues.

3. What issues that are present in the time of Up at the Villa would still be issues today? What would no longer be issues? Consider such things as class, women's roles, sexual freedom, propriety and manners, and integrity.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 4, the conversation between Karl and Mary turns to age and he says that he's twenty-three. She seems wistful, saying that he has the opportunities of youth in front of him, but Karl says that he's imprisoned by poverty. He admits to having no real plans for his future and presents a picture of hopelessness. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Karl is truly "imprisoned" by poverty? Why or why not?

2. What do you think Karl could do to break out of the prison of poverty? Why do you think he is either unable or unwilling?

3. Why do you think it is so hard to move out of poverty either then or now? What do you think it takes to move from poverty to plenty or even great wealth?

4. Is your personality such that you think you would be one of the few who do manage to break out of poverty if you were very poor? Explain how you might differ from Karl.

Essay Topic 3

W. Somerset Maugham was quite a prolific writer and lead a somewhat unconventional life for the times. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an informative essay about the life of W. Somerset Maugham.

2. In what ways do Maugham's beliefs seem to be reflected in Up at the Villa?

3. Do you think Maugham is more like Swift or Flint? Explain your answer with examples from your research and the text.

4. How much of an author's personality do you think is reflected in his/her writing? Can an author keep him/herself completely out of the text? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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