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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. What nationality are Irene's relatives, as she explains in the end of Act 2, Scene 1?

2. What style best describes Hotel Monte Gabriele?

3. According to Quillery, who will pay for Weber's profession?

4. What causes the train to stop as the play opens?

5. Where does the beautiful model, Irene, say she is from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was significant about Harry and the woman who reminds him of Irene's original meeting?

2. What does Quillery do to provoke the attention of the Italian soldiers?

3. How do the Italian soldiers respond to Quillery in Act 2, Scene 2, and what does it represent? What is Harry's role in the altercation and what is surprising about the way Quillery chooses to respond to him?

4. What does Irene include in her story pertaining to her participation in the events after her father's death, and what is she possible trying to infer?

5. What does Irene tell Harry about her fate at the hotel and why does she believe it to be true?

6. What effect does the appearance of Italian soldiers have on the hotel, and what do the soldiers do to surprise them?

7. What was different about Irene when Harry first met her? What was similar about her?

8. What causes Irene to tell Harry the truth and what does she finally reveal to him?

9. What does Weber's betrayal of Irene signify in terms of their arrangement and his intent?

10. What is Irene's reaction to Weber's betrayal and why is it significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chronicle the character of Dr. Waldersee throughout the play. How has he changed? In what ways has he remained the same? Overall, is he the character who made the biggest change in plans? Why or why not? What statement does his decision make at the end of the play? What does it say about his professional integrity and values in general? Why was his character chosen to represent Germany in the play?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of Idiot's Delight is the use of characters to reflect the various countries involved in the war. Since it was written in 1939, the author did not yet know what effect America would have on the war. Keeping that in mind, what does it say about his decision to have an American represent the hero in the story? How might it actually have foreshadowed real events that would take place years later? How does Harry symbolize America and what do his heroic actions at the end of the play say about the statement Sherwood is making?

Essay Topic 3

As Harry and Irene talk while waiting for the impending war, many symbols are introduced.

1) Champagne is usually a drink people have when they are celebrating something. What is interesting about the fact that Harry and Irene are drinking champagne at this particular time? What might they be celebrating?

2) As the bomber planes approach for their retaliation, the captain pleads with Harry and Irene to hide and seek cover. How do they respond to his request and what does that symbolize for their characters and their outlook on the situation?

3) How is music used in this part of the play? What is the significance of Harry being at the piano and the type of music he is playing? What does the request Irene makes symbolize for her character?

4) How has Harry been presented throughout the play that makes him the natural person to stay with Irene? What do you think the biggest factor was in his decision to return to the hotel was? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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