View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who promises to keep the narrator informed about Louise's condition?

2. What does the reader learn about the narrator over the course of the novel?

3. Why is the narrator's boss a significant character?

4. What does the narrator hope that Elgin can do when he moves away?

5. Who does the narrator alert to help him or her out of handcuffs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator grieve in the countryside?

2. Describe the narrator's search for Louise.

3. What is Louise's goal throughout the novel? Has she achieved this goal yet?

4. Why isn't the narrator interested in Gail sexually?

5. What is Elgin's goal throughout the novel? Has he achieved this goal yet?

6. What is the narrator's goal throughout the novel? Has he or she achieved it so far?

7. According to the novel, how is love more important than societal opinions?

8. What prompts Elgin to finally show emotion?

9. How does Louise affect the narrator's work?

10. Describe the narrator's new life in the countryside.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Louise's character. What risks are involved in dating her? Is Louise similar to any of the narrator's former lovers? What might be foreshadowing the narrator's relationship with Louise?

Essay Topic 2

What is your favorite theme in the novel? Why? How is this theme represented? Sample themes include love with no boundaries, suspicion, and betrayal.

Essay Topic 3

What role does irony play in this novel? Consider Jacqueline's heart break when the narrator reveals to her that he or she has been having an affair with Louise. Why is this ironic? Why is this important to note?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 828 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample