View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Charles born?

2. What happens in 1605 at the Fairfax manor?

3. For how long have historians searched for the Fairfax jewel?

4. What is Audrey doing during the lecture that bores Isobel?

5. What does Vinny want Isobel to get her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Charles and Isobel are born.

2. What happens when Charles is eight years old?

3. What does Isobel write about both her and her brother's physical looks?

4. Describe the interaction between Gordon and his two young children after Gordon returns from the woods.

5. What business does Charlotte run and what are her long term intentions?

6. What are the signs that Vinny is a poor caregiver for the children?

7. How is Mr. Rice presented in a less-than-favorable narrative?

8. What are the circumstances surrounding Charlotte's death?

9. What does Isobel find at the back door when she and Isobel are home alone?

10. What does Isobel observe on a visit to the Baxters in autumn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Atkinson has an agenda in mind when she writes "Human Croquet"?

3. What do you think would be Atkinson's agenda(s) (if she has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Human Croquet". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Atlkinson chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Atkinson consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of "Human Croquet"? Why or why not.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Atkinson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Atkinson's use (or lack ) of literary devices (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Atkinson use too many or too little literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

"Human Croquet" is a post-modern historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the word "genre" in the context of literary criticism.

2. Why do you think fiction is categorized by genre?

3. Does it help to know how a book is categorized as to its genre before reading it? Explain.

4. Post-modern historical fiction is often considered difficult to understand by many readers. What is your take on "Human Croquet" as far as ease of reading? Explain your answer with examples.

5. What is your favorite genre and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,029 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample