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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 is Portia supposed to stay with Anna and Thomas?

2. Where will Portia be staying while Anna and Thomas are away?

3. Where did Mr. Quayne meet Irene?

4. How does Portia respond to Matchett's opinion about Mrs. Quayne sending Mr. Quayne away?

5. Whom does Anna run into as she is hailing a taxi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Anna's relationship with Major Brutt?

2. Who are Daphne and Dickie?

3. What did Portia's father say about Anna and Thomas's home?

4. What does Portia tell Major Brutt about Anna and Thomas?

5. What does St. Quentin tell Portia about friendship?

6. How does Matchett feel about Mrs. Quayne?

7. How does Major Brutt respond when Portia asks him if he would marry her?

8. Why is Anna upset that Portia is missing her mother?

9. What happens when Anna and Thomas come home from their trip?

10. Why does Dickie ask Portia to dance at the party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is St. Quentin's words about trust and honor that lead to the conversation which results, ultimately, in the end of Portia and Eddie's relationship. Why might St. Quentin's words have bothered her so much, when none of the other warnings she received had the same effect? Do you think that earlier in the novel, before all of the problems that Portia and Eddie had, that his words would have had the same effect on her? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways did Portia's trip to Waikiki influence her? Were the resulting changes good or bad? How was she different after returning home? Were the results of her new behaviors positive or negative? Was she better off, having had that experience? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The end of the novel mirrors the beginning; the same characters, and the same dilemmas, but so much has changed. What is different? Why do you think Bowen chose to do this? What significance does it have in terms of the novel as a whole? What message does it send the reader? Do you think Portia's problems will also be cyclical, despite the progress she has made? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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