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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. Where does Alice say that Father is buried?

2. Where do Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy live when Alice visits them in Part Four?

3. How long does Alice believe it took for Father to die?

4. What does Alice want to draw?

5. How does Uncle Billy believe that Father died?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alice repeat her mother's mistakes?

2. Explain why Alice finds herself in a lawyer's office when she is 30-years-old.

3. How is Arthur's death handled by Alice's family?

4. How does Mother remind Alice of Nonna during her time at the Birdcage?

5. What does Mr. Early represent to Alice?

6. Was living with Uncle Billy and Aunt Frances good for Alice?

7. Why does Mother live apart from the family in California in Part Three: The Big House?

8. Describe the circumstances of Arthur's death.

9. Describe the relationship between Mother and Nonna.

10. What is the impact of Mr. Early's death on Alice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is seen in both Mother's fondness for naming things and in the use of locations as chapter titles.

1) Compare and contrast the Emerald Gem and the Mouse.

2) How do Arlette's stories differ from the Big House chapters?

3) Define Mother via these items: the Magnavox, the sun box, and her lost glove.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the role of creativity, art and literature in Florida.

1)Compare and contrast the way that Father, Alice and Mr. Early use literature in their lives.

2) Do Mother's artistic talents contribute in any meaningful ways to the lives of anyone in the story?

3) How does Alice use her own literary talents in a meaningful way?

Essay Topic 3

Alice and Mother are the most central characters of the novel.

1) Explain how the power of their shared names impacts both figures.

2) Who is more strongly affected by her own mother: Mother or Alice? Explain.

3) Is Mother or Alice a more generous person? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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