3. When Carrie is watching the four men who are at the reading of the survivor's names from the Titanic, she muses to herself wondering if Cressida would actually return to those men sitting there is she could. Do you think Cressida would return to these men if she could?

4. What might give the reader an indication of the depth of friendship between Carrie and Cressida?

5. What could be a possible explanation for the reactions to the engagement by Cressida's family?

6. What are signs that Bouchalka may not be quite as dedicated a musician as Cressida believes.

7. How do Cressida's sisters act about what they receive?

8. How does the last paragraphs about the photograph Poppas sends reflect an important theme of this story?

9. Give a brief synopsis of what the reader knows about Cressida's marriages by the end of part one.

10. Of what does nights like the one Cressida and Carrie are enjoying at Central Park remind Cressida?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An entire section of this story is devoted to an in-depth accounting of Cressida's relationship with Bouchalka, the Bohemian. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Briefly describe how Cressida meets Bouchalka and the development of their romance.

2. Does Bouchalka seem totally devoted to composing when he is first described? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Bouchalka lost his motivation to compose once he was no longer "hungry"?

4. Do you think Bouchalka would have continued his career as an excellent composer if he had not become a "kept" man?

Essay Topic 2

The story opens with Cressida on an ocean voyage and ends with her death also while on an ocean voyage. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Why do you think Ms Cather chooses to frame or book end the story with ocean voyages?

2. Compare and contrast the two ocean voyages and possible symbolic meanings of each.

3. Do you think it appropriate that Cressida dies on the Titanic? Why or Why not?

Essay Topic 3

The narrator, Carrie, is also one of the executors of Cressida's will. She describes a series of letters which Cressida's family produces to argue that Poppas should not receive his 50,000 dollar bequest. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Describe the content of each letter mentioned.

2. If you were Carrie, what would you think of these letters?

3. Would you feel the letters justifies not awarding the bequest to Poppas?

4. Would you want others to see letters such as these that were about you and your relationship to a generous relative?

(see the answer keys)

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