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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why does Jock apologize?
2. Who is Rosa?
3. How is Tony?
4. To what sound does Tony awaken?
5. How does Jenny interpret John's death?
Short Essay Questions
1. What are the indications that Tony may still be plagued by a "curse" or bad luck?
2. How is the inadequacies of the social circle in which Brenda revolves evident with the death of John Andrew?
3. What is Tony's position in Brenda's social circle by the end of this chapter?
4. How does Brenda take the news of her son's death?
5. How long is it before Tony and Messinger are able to talk to the men of the village about what they want?
6. Why does Tony have to appear to be in the wrong?
7. What is the symbolic significance of the first book that Tony reads?
8. How does Brenda use the death of her son to justify her request for a divorce?
9. How does Reggie present the situation about Brenda to Tony?
10. Why do you think Tony decides to go away for awhile?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
One person is seldom to blame when adultery comes into a marriage. Discuss the following:
1. What factors push Brenda into adultery? Give examples.
2. What is Tony's part in why Brenda chooses to be unfaithful? Should he accept part of the blame? Give examples.
3. Do you think the way Tony treats Brenda after her request for a divorce is fair and honorable? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
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.
Essay Topic 3
In chapter 2, "English Gothic: Part Three," Brenda is just taking the first steps on the road to adultery. Discuss the following:
1. Is it obvious yet that Brenda consciously intends to develop her curiosity of John Beaver into a full-blown affair? Why or why not?
2. Is it obvious yet that John consciously intends to develop his flirtation with Brenda into a full-blown affair? Why or why not?
3. What is similar about these two characters that puts them on the path to having an affair? Could either have stopped this becoming an affair, or is the dye already cast by this early chapter?
This section contains 1,559 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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