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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 dinner in book 1, chapter 14, why does Gerty Farish mistakenly believe Lawrence Selden wants to marry her?

2. Who is Mrs. Judy Trenor?

3. What is Gerty's financial situation at the beginning of the story?

4. In book 1, chapter 8, how does Mrs. Trenor feel about the friendship between Lily and Gus?

5. What does Grace Stepney do in Lily's absence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lily's goal in attending church with Percy Gryce?

2. What are Nettie Struther's feelings toward Lily?

3. What example of racism does Lily demonstrate in book 1, chapter 2?

4. Explain Carry Fischer's reasoning in book 2, chapter 6, for Lily to marry either George Dorset or Simon Rosedale.

5. At the end of the story, what helps Lawrence Selden understand Lily's financial arrangement with Gus Trenor?

6. In book 1, chapter 10, why does Lily donate money to the charity Gerty Farish tells her about?

7. Explain Lily's dilemma regarding Lawrence Selden and Simon Rosedale.

8. In book 1, chapter 15, what does Lily realize regarding her debt to Gus Trenor?

9. What does Gerty Farish tell Lawrence Selden about Lily in book 2, chapter 8?

10. Describe Lily's new social circle, introduced to her by Carry Fischer in book 2, chapter 5.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the causes of Lily Bart's ultimate downfall? Which causes are external? Which causes are internal? Which cause had the greatest influence on Lily's downfall? Why? Was this cause an external or an internal cause?

Essay Topic 2

Answer all parts.

Why did Edith Wharton choose The House of Mirth for the title of the novel?

1) Give examples from the book that explain the title.

2) Do you think the title fits the book? Why or why not?

3) If you could give the book a different title, what would it be? Give reasons for your answer.

Essay Topic 3

In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton comments on high society and the roles of women in society at the time in which The House of Mirth was written. Choose either the author's comments on high society or the author's comments on women's roles in society at the time. Include in your answer what you believe her opinion is, and why. What is the tone of these comments? What makes you think so? Give examples from the story to explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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