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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. Of what nationality is Princess San Ferdinando?

2. Who is Princess San Ferdinanado?

3. Who advised Mary not to marry Matthew?

4. How did Mary feel about Matthew?

5. What city can Mary see from the terrace of the villa?

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 does the Colonel think of Edgar's prospects in his career?

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

5. What are the topics of conversation between Rowley and Mary?

6. How does Edgar bring up the subject of marriage to Mary?

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

8. How has Mary been spending her time lately and what bearing does that have to do with Mary being at the villa?

9. What does Mary think of the Princess' comments on marriage to Edgar?

10. How does Mary begin to respond to Matthew's drinking?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maugham chooses to write the novel as a third person, impersonal narrator. Discuss the following:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this novel being written in the third person, impersonal narration?

2. Do you think the novel would be more effective in a different point of view? Which one if so? If not why do you think the impersonal narrator works the best?

3. Do you think the narrator in Up at the Villa is reliable, i.e., do you believe the narrator is completely unbiased? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Plots are sometimes said to be either character-driven or action-driven. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think Up at the Villa is more character-driven or action-driven? Explain.

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Up at the Villa, like many, and perhaps a majority of novels, seems to end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Up at the Villa and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Up at the Villa is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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