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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 was Gertrude's brother living when he learned about Cézanne?

2. What is a chronic problem in Paris?

3. What was the former occupation of gallery owner, Sagot?

4. How does Alice refer to her mother?

5. What incident changed Alice's life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the significance of the black renaissance plate?

2. What caused Alice to throw herself into literature after having spent so much time studying music?

3. What caused the turbulent nature of the Picassos' relationship?

4. Why did the Whiteheads leave America?

5. Why did Toklas say it was with "infinite relief England came into the war"?

6. Why was it difficult for the Picassos to decide where their son would be baptized?

7. Why was Hemingway in Europe initially?

8. How did Alice come to meet Gertrude Stein's brother and sister-in-law?

9. What was the initial response to Gertrude Stein's "Three Lives?"

10. What caused Alice's grandfather to leave Paris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although a great deal of the story is about Stein rather than Toklas, there is never a solid mention of Stein's nuclear family regarding the number of siblings. Why would the author overlook an important part of the writer's childhood and family structure? How did the oversight affect the story?

Essay Topic 2

Transportation in the early 1900s was not nearly as easy as it is today. However, Stein and her friends traveled often. During the war, travel became quite a bit more difficult but did not stop Stein from moving about from place to place. Examine the issues faced when traveling between countries during war time. Which of these did Stein face? How would it be different today?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the book details the relationships between Stein and a lengthy cast of characters. Most of the characters are famous painters and authors although many are academics, friends and relatives that bear little impact on the story as a whole. Why were these people included in the book? Do you feel that the inclusion helped or hindered the picture Stein was trying to paint of life in Paris?

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This section contains 587 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample