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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens in book 1, chapter 15, as Lily is about to accept Simon Rosedale's marriage proposal?

2. When does Mrs. Gormer's attitude change toward Lily?

3. At four o'clock in the afternoon, who is supposed to visit Lily, but doesn't show ?

4. What is Lily's immediate response to the offer Simon Rosedale makes to her in book 2, chapter 11 ?

5. What type of work does Carry Fischer find for Lily?

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

In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton criticizes the relationships women have with each other because they are competitive and mean. Choose a relationship between two women in The House of Mirth that best exemplifies the competitive and mean spirit criticized by the author. Explain why you chose this particular relationship.

Essay Topic 3

Explain why The House of Mirth is called "a novel of manners." Give examples from the story.

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This section contains 298 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample