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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. In which room does Constance find nothing has been destroyed?

2. To what does Merricat liken Charles's scream in Chapter 8?

3. What does Merricat fantasize about turning Charles into?

4. What does Merricat break in Chapter 6?

5. What does Merricat complain about Charles leaving everywhere in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 9, what does Merricat see and hear in the night from her hiding spot?

2. What do the girls decide to do in honor of Uncle Julian in Chapter 9?

3. What does Merricat do in order to get Charles to leave her house?

4. In Chapter 6, how does Merricat describe the way Charles has taken over her house?

5. After the fire, what do the sisters find to use for clothing?

6. What does Merricat imagine at the end of Chapter 7?

7. After the fire, what does Merricat say are her new safeguards? Why does she think she needs new ones?

8. What act commences the villagers' attack on the Blackwoods' house?

9. What does Charles say he wants to go through in Chapter 6? How does Julian react?

10. What does Merricat do when she peeks in at Charles's room in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of death in the novel. How does Jackson illustrate the theme of death? What do the characters think of death?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret Jackson's use of ambiguity. What are some examples of ambiguity in the novel? What might the meaning be behind these examples of ambiguity?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of loyalty in the novel "We Have Always Lived in the Castle." Who is loyal to whom? In what way does Constance's loyalty to her sister negatively impact her life? Is the loyalty between Merricat and Constance swayed at any time?

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