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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 Foible claim that Lady Wishfort will discover about Waitwell?

2. Why does Congreve say these critics should be the subject of onstage satire?

3. Why does Mrs. Millamant agree to marry Sir Wilfull?

4. Lady Wishfort convinces herself that her daughter is innocent in a soliloquy. What is a soliloquy?

5. What does Foible tell Mrs. Millamant when she reaches her in Act 4, Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do we feel sympathy for Lady Wishfort even though she is vain and is berating a servant at the beginning Act 5, Scene 1?

2. Why does Mirabell agree to help the Fainall's achieve peace in their marriage?

3. What is the significance of the black box?

4. In what way does the discussion of marriage between Lady Wishfort and Sir Rowland differ from the discussion of Mrs. Millamant and Mirabell?

5. As a play, The Way of the World met with little success. However, critics believe it is one of the best comedies of manners ever written. Why do you think there is such a difference in opinion between audiences and critics?

6. Why does Lady Wishfort accept Mirabell offer to help Mrs. Millamant?

7. Explain the significance of Sir Wilfull Witwoud's travels.

8. Discuss Lady Wishfort's plans for receiving Sir Rowland. Why are the plans so elaborate?

9. Why does Lady Wishfort come to the conclusion that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Mrs. Millamant?

10. How do critics today differ from Congreve's description of them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If you were a friend of Mirabell, would you have supported his scheme to marry Mrs. Millamant? Explain why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

How has Congreve worked to make us feel sympathetic to certain characters while having no sympathy for others? Explain your answer with specific examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

Witwoud, Sir Wilfull, and Petulant are minor characters in the play. They provide comic relief and further the plot along.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the two cousins: Witwoud and Sir Wilfull.

Part 2) What do you think would have happened in the play if Sir Wilfull had insisted on marrying Mrs. Millamant?

Part 3) Describe how Petulant tries to show his importance.

(see the answer keys)

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