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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. How long has her husband's forefather's ruled the coast?

2. What does the young wife say her husband smells of?

3. What does the young wife say when the mother ask if she is sure she loves him?

4. Who does the young wife say lies naked upon a bed?

5. What is the name of the suite the young wife is given?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think is the significance of the red ribbon?

2. Why do you think the story constantly harks back to past times?

3. What do you think is the significance of the opal?

4. What do you think the differences are between a novella and a novel?

5. Describe the piano tuners background.

6. Describe the young girl.

7. Why do you think the young wife does not tell anyone what happened, but instead accepts the gossip?

8. Why do you think the Marquis stops what he is doing when the door is locked?

9. Do you think the Marquis's servant play a role in the Marquis' crimes?

10. Is it significant that the young girl compares her mother to Medusa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Bloody Chamber is a novella. What do you think are the differences between a novella and a novel in terms of:

1) Language

2) Character

3) Structure

Essay Topic 2

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact chronological setting of the novel. What year do you think it is set in? What clues are there to suggest it is from that year?

Essay Topic 3

Carter often alludes to famous cautionary tales and weaves them into the narrative of the book. What cautionary tales does Carter allude to? What do the inclusion of these tales say about the books narrator?

(see the answer keys)

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