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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of church did Elaine like best, when she would go to different churches on impulse?

2. What does Cordelia do after she runs away from home?

3. What does Elaine do when she finds Susie injured?

4. How does Elaine think Jon will react to her pregnancy?

5. What does Elaine do when Jon first takes her out for a beer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of point of view in the book.

1) Why is this book told in the first person, from Elaine's point of view? How would it be different if it were told by a different narrator?

2) Does Elaine provide an accurate account of the world around her? How is her view of the world biased or flawed?

3) What would the reader gain from understanding Cordelia's perspective, or the perspective of another character?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the trauma left by Elaine's abuse as a child.

1) How do Elaine's memories impact her life at the time of the retrospective? How do they impact her art and her perception of the world?

2) In what ways is Elaine trapped by the past? Why does she badly want an explanation from Cordelia?

3) Can Elaine be free of trauma from her past abuse? Is she free at the end of the book? How might her life change?

Essay Topic 3

Elaine's relationship with Stephen is an important aspect of her life. Discuss the role of Stephen in the novel.

1) What role does Stephen play in Elaine's childhood? How does growing up with a brother affect Elaine's perception of men and women?

2) What role do Stephen's ideas about time and physics play in Elaine's life and artwork?

3) How does Stephen's death affect Elaine and her family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 391 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample