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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. Where does Aunt Peg go from Amsterdam?

2. Where does Ginny go after leaving Richard's place?

3. What number letter does Ginny open?

4. What shocks Ginny about what Mrs. Knapp gives her?

5. What is the name of the cafe Ginny goes to?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ginny find the cafe and what does she do there?

2. What does Peg tell Ginny about the last envelope and what does Ginny say when Carrie asks her when she is going to open it?

3. What does Ginny do when she leaves Richard after learning he was Peg's husband?

4. Where do Keith and Ginny spend the night in Paris?

5. How does Ginny know what to pay the Knapps, what amazes her about the bill and the amount?

6. How does Ginny find a key?

7. What does Olivia tell Ginny when they discuss using the internet?

8. What does Peg say about Paris when she finished her job at the cafe and what does she tell Ginny she is to do next?

9. How does Ginny feel about getting out of the cemetery and what does Keith do when she says she missed the locking of the hostel?

10. What does the key fit and what does Ginny find there? What does she do next?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "13 Little Blue Envelopes", Ginny grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "13 Little Blue Envelopes" might be considered a slice of Ginny's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that this story is a "bildungsroman" of Ginny Blackstone. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Ginny as she changes from a shy teen to a more confident young woman. What are the significant events that change Ginny?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Ginny's growth throughout "13 Little Blue Envelopes", do you think "13 Little Blue Envelopes" could be considered Ginny's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "13 Little Blue Envelopes" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "13 Little Blue Envelopes". Questions that Johnson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Johnson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Johnson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Johnson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "13 Little Blue Envelopes". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Johnson chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Johnson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Johnson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Johnson use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

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