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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 illness does Rudy claim to have in chapter 20?

2. Why does Michael begin taking Wanda to work with him?

3. Who offers to help Michael and Gina with baby Wanda?

4. What does Michael, aka Striker, hope to draw on to get work in Seattle?

5. What did Gina leave behind for Michael in chapter 19 after their first night together?

Short Essay Questions

1. What symbolic item is mentioned in chapter 18 that is related to a similar item symbolically important to Wanda Schultz?

2. How does Wanda's knowledge of her parents' relationship compare with what Striker has revealed to the reader in part two of the novel?

3. What odd behaviors on the part of Gina Lorenzini does Michael O'Casey overlook due to his amorous feelings for her?

4. Why does Gina become pregnant soon after marrying Michael even though she has told him she does not wish to have children?

5. In the beginning of Part Two, how does the narration change?

6. How does the author draw parallels between Striker and Irma concerning their painful pasts?

7. What does Striker see in the street in chapter 22? How does this make Striker feel?

8. How does Striker celebrate Easter in chapter 22?

9. How do the Hawaiian shirts becomes something of a symbol between Striker and Irma in chapter 21?

10. What story does Irma Kosminsky tell Striker over dinner in chapter 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the star? How has it changed Margaret's life? When does it begin to grow? Who does Margaret begin to see as the star begins to grow? How does Wanda react to news of Margaret's illness? How does Margaret feel about Wanda's reaction? How long does Margaret live after the star begins to grow? What happens to her house and her roommates after her death?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Detective Tink Lorenzini? Why does Wanda insist on taking on this persona? For what purpose? Who is Troy? How does Troy react to Wanda's desire to find Peter? Why does Wanda rush across the street in chapter 16? Who did she think she saw? Who did she really see? What happens to Wanda? Why does she refuse to speak after her recovery has begun? What does this say about Wanda's state of mind? How does this impact the people around her?

Essay Topic 3

Wanda was adopted by her aunt and uncle. Examine this family. How does Wanda fit in with this surrogate family? How many siblings are there? Why does one of the children resent Wanda? How does Wanda feel about that? How did losing her parents impact Wanda? How has Wanda's past shaped her present? Why is Wanda so obsessed with her ex-lover? Why does Wanda believe the unsigned postcard is from her ex-lover?

(see the answer keys)

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