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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 is happening at the church at midnight?

2. As Ethan walks through the trees he passes _______________________________.

3. Wharton compares the darkened farmhouses to ________________.

4. When Ethan returned to Starkfield, he missed ____________________________.

5. Where is Ethan Frome going at the start of Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What, according to Ethan, is responsible for the biggest change in Mattie since she arrived in Starkfield?

2. What was Ethan doing before he returned to Starkfield?

3. What is Ethan's reaction to finding Ned and Ruth Varnum kissing among the trees?

4. Why is Mattie upset to learn that the Fromes expect her to leave them someday?

5. Why doesn't Ethan protest Zeena's costly doctor visit?

6. Why does Ethan give up on the hope of money from Andrew Hale?

7. Why does Mattie feel she may have displeased Zeena?

8. Why has Zeena stayed up waiting for Ethan and Mattie?

9. What does Ethan enjoy sharing with Mattie that he cannot share with Zeena?

10. Describe Zeena's appearance when she opens the door for Ethan and Mattie.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters in Ethan Frome are faced with the manipulation and motivations of others throughout the text. Choose the character you believe is most effected by others' manipulations and motivations, and write an essay supporting your argument. Use specific examples from the text to help support your point.

Essay Topic 2

Whose fault is the eventual state of the Fromes? Write an essay in which you consider the final state of the Fromes, financially, socially, and emotionally speaking, and determine one character who is ultimately at fault for their decline. Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Considering the roles available to women in the novel, write an essay in which you analyze the effect of any female character's actions on major events. Determine whether the character is responsible for her actions, or whether her role has dictated the outcome of events.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 812 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample