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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 is Brenda meeting Marjorie later?

2. Why does Brenda send Jenny Abdul Akbar ahead to Hetton?

3. Where does John next encounter Brenda?

4. Who wants to know how to find Jock Grant-Menzies?

5. When was Hetton Abbey rebuilt?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John Andrew's death.

2. What does Brenda propose to Tony and why do you think he agrees?

3. Do you think that a class is a good enough reason to miss the beginning of an annual, traditional event at Hetton as Brenda does?

4. Why is Beaver annoyed at Polly's party, but why does he put up with his annoyance?

5. What does Brenda do the rest of the weekend at Hetton and why do you think she does those things?

6. What does Tony find annoying and why do you think he put himself in the situation?

7. How would you characterize John Beaver's idea of a relationship with a woman (including Brenda)?

8. How does John Andrew's behavior demonstrate that he is indeed being affected by the disruption of the household?

9. Describe Jock's date for the hunt weekend.

10. What do you think of John Beaver's attempts to remain connected to the upper class by angling for invitations to various events.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 2, "English Gothic: Part One," the rooms of Hetton Abbey are named after characters in the story of King Arthur. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss fully the legend of King Arthur.

2. Discuss how the legend of King Arthur and A Handful of Dust are similar and why.

3. Discuss how A Handful of Dust and the legend of King Arthur are different and why.

Essay Topic 2

In most relationships, each person is getting something out of the relationship, whether or not the relationship seems good. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think John Beaver is getting out of his affair with Brenda, especially considering he does not seem to particularly like Brenda.

2. What do you think Brenda is getting out of his affair with John, especially considering she does not seem to particularly find John all that interesting.

3. What is Tony getting out of the marriage with Brenda after she begins staying in London for great lengths of time?

Essay Topic 3

Divorce in that era of England is not a simple matter. There are ways one has to "jump through hoops" in order to get a divorce. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss what Tony has to do in order to effect an honorable divorce from Brenda. What do you think of his methods?

2. Compare and contrast the divorce proceedings of the time in the novel with the 21st century America. Which seems to be a better method? Do both ways have their good points? Pitfalls?

3. How does Brenda's greed in the divorce and throughout the story end up causing her to have nothing? Is this just desserts? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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