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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. Mrs. Sucksby __________ Sue's bed at home.

2. From what did Maud's mother really die?

3. Of what are Maud's gloves symbolic?

4. What is the main subject of the books in Maud's uncle's library?

5. Why does Richard Rivers come to Maud's room late at night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the details of the plan Richard concocts to free Maud and get her inheritance?

2. What is the result of the lovemaking between Sue and Maud?

3. What happens when Richard, Sue and Maud arrive at the insane asylum?

4. What are Sue's impressions of Maud?

5. Why does Sue grow up in Mrs. Sucksby's home?

6. Why does Maud relate the story of her coming to Briar?

7. How does Sue think of Maud while they are outside by Maud's mother's grave?

8. What is Maud's response to Richard's marriage proposal and how does Sue respond?

9. How does Richard prepare for committing Maud to the insane asylum?

10. What is Gentleman's plan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 9 touches upon several key themes of the novel: what is goodness, what is innocence, what is truth.

1. Do you think Sue is a good person? How about Maud? Why or why not?

2. How would you define goodness? Use examples from your life and the book to support your definition.

3. Write a short essay about a person you know or know about who you believe has a basic goodness in them.

Essay Topic 2

Maud tells Sue she is a good girl, and Sue reminds herself that she carries the bad blood of her mother.

1. What do you think Sue means by this idea? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you believe that children can be bad because their parents are bad? Why or why not?

3. Do you believe people's personalities are influenced more by their upbringing or their DNA? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

She remains silent, realizing that she cannot reject Richard's plan lest she lose everything, including Sue, and spend the rest of her life at Briar. She convinces herself that it is love that makes her move ahead with the plan that will harm Sue.

1. Why do you think Maud believes she is carrying out Richard's plan because of love? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Maud is lying to herself, convincing herself that what she does is better for Sue. What do you think is the differences in consequences between lying to yourself and lying to others? Use examples from the book and your life to support your answer.

3. Do you think the fact that Maud has to rationalize her behavior means she's not a bad person? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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