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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. At the beginning of the play, why does Michael claim that he is embarrassed?

2. Michael tells Agnes what shocking confession?

3. What does Michael reveal that he said to Agnes when they first met?

4. What reason does Agnes give that Michael was the life of the party?

5. What is Agnes carrying into the room when she is first seen in Act 1, Scene 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Agnes describe Michael's parenting?

2. Why are there so many sudden changes of subject in the conversation of Agnes and Michael on their wedding night?

3. What is the conflict at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 2?

4. What is Agnes' reaction when Michael recounts his encounter with their son?

5. What message does Michael say he got when he first saw the "God Is Love" pillow on his wedding night?

6. What faults in parenting do Agnes and Michael depict for each other?

7. What is Michael's gift to the new couple and where does he leave it?

8. Describe the mood of Agnes during her wedding night.

9. Why does Agnes wish she were dead at the end of Act 2, Scene 1?

10. What has Michael tried to persuade Agnes with in order that she might like his book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Agnes goes through many changes throughout the play. Beginning with her wedding night and ending with her gift at the end of the play, analyze Agnes' character by answering the following:

1) How is Agnes represented in her youth compared to her older years?

2) How has motherhood changed Agnes?

3) What ways have Agnes' religious beliefs influenced her decisions in life?

4) Is Agnes' character capable of acting selfishly? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Agnes and Michael are parents to a son and daughter, a fact that influences their characters' decisions and actions. Support your essay with examples from the play and respond to the following:

1) What good parental characteristics are Agnes and Michael shown to have?

2) What bad parental characteristics are Agnes and Michael shown to have?

3) How has becoming parents changed the relationship between Michael and Agnes?

Essay Topic 3

Each act in the play closes with an embrace between Michael and Agnes. This display of repetition is a literary device used by the author. Respond using examples to support your answer.

1) Does the embrace at the end of each scene always come from the same emotion, such as relief, love or compassion?

2) What is the significance of the repetition of the familiar embrace to the relationship of Agnes and Michael?

3) What is the significance of the repetition of the familiar embrace to the audience of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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