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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. About what is Rowley concerned?

2. What is the Princess going to do about getting Karl fired?

3. What is Karl doing after Mary and he have sex?

4. About whom does the conversation turn to?

5. How does Rowley reassure Mary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Karl's life in Austria.

2. How does Mary appear as she leaves for the luncheon?

3. How does Karl end up in a concentration camp and how does he get to Italy?

4. What does Mary do that causes Karl to become even more angry and what is Karl's reply?

5. What does the Princess say about the party from the previous evening?

6. What does Rowley advise Mary to do before he leaves early that morning?

7. How does Mary feel about what Karl tells her about his life?

8. Describe the scene of Mary and Rowley getting rid of Karl's body.

9. What does Rowley ask for that upsets Mary?

10. What does the Princess learn about the violinist and what is her response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Up at the Villa, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (they may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book--questions that Maugham may have wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Maugham's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

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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