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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. Who does Esther want to save from following in her footsteps?

2. Who is John Barton chosen to speak to about the bad working conditions in Manchester?

3. What country is "Mary Barton" set in?

4. Which tradeworkers are on strike in Chapter 15?

5. Why does Esther want to keep a distance from people?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does John Barton help the Davenport family?

2. What happens when Mrs. Barton goes into labor in Chapter 3?

3. Why does John Barton suggest the Carsons will be pleased at their mill burning down?

4. What comment do two rude boys make about young Mary Barton in Chapter 2?

5. What happens when John Barton runs into his sister-in-law Esther in the street?

6. What story does Job Legh tell about going to London?

7. What message do John's neighbors tell him to share in London?

8. When Alice Wilson invites Mary to tea to meet Margaret, what does Mary do before she goes to Alice's house?

9. What effect does the burning of the Carson mill have on the mill's workers?

10. What impedes John Barton's ability to find work in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death is a recurring motif in the novel "Mary Barton". Discuss the deaths in the novel. What purpose do they serve? Why would Gaskell feature so many deaths in the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Generosity is a recurring motif in the novel "Mary Barton". Discuss the characters and their generosity in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Who is the antagonist of the story? Why? Give examples from the text to illustrate your points.

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