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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 is the name of the narrator’s husband’s old nag that she can hear neighing in the stables in “The Wife’s Story”?

2. What is the name of Mrs. Palmer’s servant who tells her a man is there for his money when Mrs. Palmer awakens in “Anne”?

3. About how old does Mrs. Palmer appear when she looks in the mirror after awakening in “Anne”?

4. The narrator learns in “The Wife’s Story” that her husband’s first wife was addicted to what?

5. Mrs. Palmer gets on a train going where after withdrawing her bonds at the trust company in “Anne”?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Hester’s family moving in “The Wife’s Story”? How does Hester feel about the move?

2. What conflict arises in “The Wife’s Story” relating to Hester’s musical ambitions?

3. What was the ultimate changing point in the marriage between Hester and Dr. Manning in “The Wife’s Story”?

4. How would you describe the ending of “The Wife’s Story”? What happens to Hester?

5. Where does Mrs. Palmer travel in “Anne”? How does she fund her travels?

6. How would you describe the character of Hester in “The Wife’s Story”? What information is established about Hester in the opening of the story?

7. What does Hester discover about her husband after she’s left him in “The Wife’s Story”?

8. What information does Jacky relate to Hester regarding Dr. Manning’s first wife in “The Wife’s Story”?

9. What “big decision” does Mrs. Palmer make in “Anne”? Why?

10. What is Mrs. Palmer’s relationship to Anne in “Anne”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of stories in the collection. In what ways is the narrative related and what effect does this have on the reader?

b. How do the stories in the collection compare with other works written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Davis’s writing?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of art and creation in “Life in the Iron Mills.” Which character in the story shows great talent? What is the author’s statement about this talent? How does this theme relate to the author’s biography?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the characters of Dr. Manning and Jacky in “The Wife’s Story.” What about Jacky does Hester dislike? Why? How much older than Hester is Dr. Manning? How many children does Dr. Manning have from his first marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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