Pavilion of Women: A Novel of Life in the Women's Quarters Quiz

Take our free Pavilion of Women quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Why does Ch'iuming try to kill herself? (from Chapter 10)

Ch'iuming believed the baby was a girl, and because girl babies are viewed less favorably, she saw herself as a failure.

Ch'iuming believed her baby was going to be stillborn, and saw herself as a failure worthy of death.

Ch'iuming was still in love with Fengmo, and didn't want to betray that love by bearing another man's child.

Ch'iuming believed the baby was a boy, and didn't want to risk offending Madame Wu by giving birth to a son who might become more of a priority to Mr. Wu.

What is a concubine? (from Chapter 1)

A woman brought into a marriage or family to provide sexual satisfaction to the husband or father.

A woman brought into a marriage or family to provide housekeeping help for the wife or mother.

A woman brought into a marriage or family to provide housekeeping help for the husband or father.

A woman brought into a marriage or family to provide childcare help for the wife or mother.

Ying's actions in bringing Madame Wu's attention back to the needs of the physical world are an echo of the actions of which character in an earlier chapter? (from Chapter 9)

Old Gentleman, when he recognizes the power of Madame Wu's intellect and soul (Chapter 3).

Fengmo, when he brings Madame Wu's attention to the similarities between their characters (Chapter 8).

Mr. Wu, when he again tells Madame Wu that he no longer desires her (Chapter 1).

Ch'iuming, when she brought Madame Wu's attention back from the sky and the stars (Chapter 8).

Several times throughout the narrative, here and in other sections, the novel emphasizes how much attention Madame Wu pays to her appearance. Which of the novel's themes does this relate to, and why? (from Chapter 5)

The exploration of the power of compassion: Madame Wu demonstrates spiritual self-care by making sure she is beautiful.

The exploration of the male / female relationship: it shows how little Madame Wu cares about her what her husband thinks of her.

The exploration of Christian allegory and philosophy: Christian teaching emphasizes the importance of physical appearance.

The exploration of the body / soul relationship: it shows how much Madame Wu values the physical over the spiritual.

What is the most likely reason that Madame Wu arranges for Ch'iuming to be given the same scents / perfumes that she (Madame Wu) wears? (from Chapter 6)

She wants Ch'iuming to feel guilty for being with Mr. Wu instead of her.

She wants Mr. Wu to miss her so much that he will dismiss Ch'iuming and come back to her.

She wants to make Mr. Wu feel guilty for being attracted to Ch'iuming instead of her.

She wants to increase the likelihood that Mr. Wu will pay attention to Ch'iuming instead of her.