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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. What propels Tony to start a dialog with Brenda?

2. About what do the detectives warn Tony?

3. Who is Tony's new partner?

4. Who is Rosa?

5. What are the legal ramifications of John Andrew's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the indications that Tony may still be plagued by a "curse" or bad luck?

2. How does Tony manage to survive in the jungle?

3. Why does Tony have to appear to be in the wrong?

4. How has John Beaver fared through the saga of Tony and Brenda's failed marriage?

5. What seems most important to Tony as he lies possibly dying and alone?

6. How does Brenda take the news of her son's death?

7. What do Messigner and Tony decide to do and do you think they make the best choice?

8. Why do you think Tony decides to go away for awhile?

9. What is rather ironic about how divorce is treated in this era?

10. How does Tony finally take some of his own personal power back and take charge of his destiny?

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

Waugh offers an alternate ending in his serialization of A HANDFUL OF DUST in an American magazine. In that ending, Tony returns to England, is reunited with Brenda, moves into her flat and begins a series of affairs himself. Discuss the following:

1. Which ending to the novel do you think is closer to reality? Why?

2. Which ending is a more honorable one for Tony? Why?

3. Do you think Brenda would have welcomed Tony back and then stayed with it despite his affairs? Explain your reasoning using examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

A HANDFUL OF DUST takes its title from a T.S. Eliot poem titled "The Wasteland." Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the similar themes that are jointly present in "The Wasteland" and A Handful of Dust.

2. Compare and contrast the use of a poem versus a novel to express similar ideas.

3. Discuss why both Eliot and Waugh, who wrote in the same era, would be interested in the same social themes.

(see the answer keys)

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