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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 are the legal ramifications of John Andrew's death?

2. What happens when Tony and Messinger awaken?

3. What does a Pie Wie tribal member tell Mr. Todd?

4. Who ends up going with Dr. Messinger and Tony?

5. What letter does Tony receive from Brenda on Monday?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What seems to be contrasted in this chapter?

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

4. How has Tony again entrusted his life to someone for whom that trust is not valid?

5. What is Tony's position in Brenda's social circle by the end of this chapter?

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

7. How does Reggie present the situation about Brenda to Tony?

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

9. What is the symbolic significance of the first book that Tony reads?

10. How does Brenda use the death of her son to justify her request for a divorce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As in almost any text, there are a number of symbols and metaphors present in A HANDFUL OF DUST. Discuss one of the following:

1. Choose three major symbols in the novel and discuss their meanings as they occur in various places throughout the text.

2. Choose two major metaphors in the novel and discuss their meanings as they occur in various places throughout the text.

3. Discuss the symbols of Hetton Place as it relates to Tony's ideals and beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

Tony is an aristocrat who is still immersed in the Victorian era. His wife, Brenda is the embodiment of the more modern times and beliefs. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss characteristics of the Victorian era and where those appear in the novel.

2. Discuss the characteristics of the post-Victorian and where those appear in the novel.

3. Compare and contrast the Victorian era with the post-Victorian era of the first several decades of the 20th century.

Essay Topic 3

There is a lot of foreshadowing throughout this story. Discuss the following:

1. How is Brenda's affair with John Beaver foreshadowed? Give examples.

2. How is John Andrew's death foreshadowed? Give examples.

3. Do you think Tony becoming lost in the jungle "forever" is foreshadowed? Why or why not? Give examples.

4. Do you think the author's use of foreshadowing is effective? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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