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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. Jarndyce and Jarndyce is the ___________.

2. The marriage between young Rouncewell and Rosa is nixed because ___________.

3. Mr. Bucket is, by trade, ___________.

4. Prince Turveydrop's profession is that of ___________.

5. Bringing flowers to Esther, Caddy implies ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Mr. Gridley's role in the story, Bleak House. What is his relationship to Miss Flite?

2. Who is Miss Flite, and what is her interest? What is the significance of her birds?

3. Who is Volumnia Dedlock? Discuss her role and her physical appearance.

4. what is to become of Krook's Rag and Bottle house, now that he has died? Is its disposition a surprise?

5. Describe Mrs. Jellyby's compassion for humanity. Is she a rational person?

6. Charity and philanthropy seem to be addressed frequently in the story. Mrs. Pardiggle and Mrs. Jellyby have something in common in their efforts to help others. What is it?

7. What is the purpose of the Ghost Walk?

8. What purpose does it serve having Lady Dedlock take a shine to the lovely new maid, Rosa?

9. What is the significance of the "beadle" arriving at Nemo's death scene if any? What is the beadle?

10. Is Mr. Guppy appropriately named? Why, or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Apparently, during Dickens' lifetime, women were still not considered equal to men. Using Bleak House as your basis of research, explore the status of women in the 1800s in England. What clues does this story provide (perhaps unintentionally) about how women were seen and treated?

Essay Topic 2

At one point in Bleak House, Richard Carstone intends to be an MRCS, or "Member of the Royal College of Surgeons." Research this institution and determine whether it still exists and its current status.

Essay Topic 3

London's Court of Chancery actually existed at one time. Write a well-researched essay about the Chancery, its structure, its intended purpose and its eventual demise. Can you compare the institution to any that are in existence today?

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