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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. Which room in Lady Wishfort's house is the setting for Act 4, Scene 2?
2. Why was the cologne given to the footmen?
3. As Act 3, Scene 3 opens, Mrs. Millamant and Mrs. Marwood are talking. What do we learn from their interaction?
4. What happens when Mincing enters the room in Act 3, Scene 3?
5. Why does Lady Wishfort praise Mrs. Marwood at the beginning of Act 5, Scene 2?
Short Essay Questions
1. How have the fortunes of the lovers been determined in this play? Is this a good thing or a bad one? Explain your point of view.
2. Compare Congreve's opinions on love, marriage, and honesty with another play, novel, movie, etc. you know well.
3. What makes the scene between Mrs. Fainall and Foible comic?
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. Explain the significance of Sir Wilfull Witwoud's travels.
6. Discuss Lady Wishfort's plans for receiving Sir Rowland. Why are the plans so elaborate?
7. Why does Lady Wishfort come to the conclusion that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Mrs. Millamant?
8. 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?
9. Why is Mrs. Marwood trying to provoke Mrs. Millamant in Act 3, Scene 3?
10. Explain the significance of the document in the black box.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Congreve seemed to be critical of Restoration society for various reasons. Find at least three examples in the play that illustrate his criticism. Explain why he thought each one of these points was negative. How would he have changed these failings? Explain your answer in detail.
Essay Topic 2
Why do you think that the audiences of Restoration society did not like the play? Would audiences today be more receptive? Why or why not.
Essay Topic 3
Do the characters in the play show growth or changes as the play progresses? How much of the play's meaning depends on this growth? How do you think the characters will have changed five or ten years from now?
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This section contains 1,005 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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