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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 Charles try to talk to Merricat about?

2. What does Merricat's uncle rely on to get around?

3. What does Merricat's uncle talk about in Chapter 2?

4. What kind of day does Merricat say it will be in Chapter 5?

5. Who is Jim Donell?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who comes to see Julian in Chapter 3? What does Constance do before his arrival?

2. What does Constance consider wearing in Chapter 5? What does this tell us about her?

3. What does Merricat feel is coming in Chapter 3?

4. What does Merricat speak to Constance about playfully at the beginning of Chapter 5?

5. What is the first thing Constance says in the book, and what is its significance?

6. Describe the Blackwoods' collection of preserves.

7. What does Julian ask Charles about at breakfast? How does Charles act toward Julian?

8. Which of Merricat's safeguards does she find has fallen in Chapter 4?

9. What does Merricat come up with to keep the change away?

10. What does Mary Katherine imagine while she is shopping in order to distract herself from the villagers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the motif of fear in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle." What are some examples of fear in the novel? What is Merricat fearful of and why? What are other characters fearful of and why?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the character Merricat. What are her defining character traits? Is she a reliable narrator?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of superstition in the novel. Which character(s) are superstitious? What are some examples of superstition in the novel? Why might Merricat be superstitious? What are some examples of when Merricat exhibits superstitious behavior?

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