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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. Why is Lady Margaret's tutor worried about her?

2. Who is one of Eliza's clients when she works as a prostitute?

3. What does Maude name her baby?

4. Where does Lady Fairfax spent a great deal of time?

5. When is Isobel released from the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Herbert do to Violet Angela, and what is Maude's response to Violet's telling her about Herbert?

2. What does Isobel say about Audrey?

3. What is happening on Christmas eve at the Fairfax household?

4. What smell does Isobel awaken to and what does she notice?

5. How does Maude Potter finally get a baby and what does she name the baby?

6. What does Isobel wonder about reality and Mr. Baxter?

7. What does Isobel do with Malcolm in Hilary's bedroom?

8. How does Violet Angela end up leaving Herbert and Maude?

9. What is the time and purpose of this chapter?

10. When does Isobel awake from her coma, and what does she learn about why she is in the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Human Croquet" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Human Croquet"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in the book to discuss and compare Isobel's response to that of two other characters, and to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

"Human Croquet" ends on a somewhat positive note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Human Croquet" and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Human Croquet" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

Essay Topic 3

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Human Croquet" appears several times in the book. Discuss that theme and how it is related to the title.

3. If you were the writer of "Human Croquet" and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book, and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

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