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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. When was Michael Collins assassinated?
2. What name do the Byrnes give to Vivian when they adopt her?
3. How old is Vivian when she is adopted by the Byrnes?
4. How old does Vivian say she is in the Prologue of the novel?
5. What is Molly's favorite novel that she attempted to steal?
Short Essay Questions
1. What purpose does the Prologue serve in Orphan Train? How would you describe the language and tone of the Prologue?
2. How would you describe Vivian's relationships with her fellow workers at the clothing manufacturing company owned by the Byrnes?
3. What similarities of circumstance are established between the characters of Vivian and Molly in the beginning of the novel?
4. Discuss the literary allusions in the novel. What two literary works are referenced repeatedly? What do these books have in common with the characters of Orphan train?
5. Describe the process of adoption from the orphan trains. What stands out the most to you about the depictions of these transactions in the novel?
6. What conversation takes place between Vivian and Dutchy on the orphan train in Minneapolis?
7. How is the theme of identity illustrated through Vivian's narratives of the past in Section 2?
8. How does Vivian trigger the beginning of Molly's transformation of character in Section 2?
9. What are Molly's first impressions of the attic when she is taken there in Section 2? Who leads Molly to this area of Vivian's house?
10. What foreshadowing can be seen through the meeting of Molly and Vivian in the beginning of the novel?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Describe and analyze the characters of Miss Larsen and Mr. Post in the novel. What are Vivian’s first impressions of these characters? How does Miss Larsen behave toward Vivian? In what ways does Miss Larsen differ from the other adult female characters that have appeared in the novel thus far?
Essay Topic 2
Discuss the themes of education, reading, and literature in the novel. What does reading represent to Molly and to Vivian? Why? How does Vivian feel about education as a child in the early 1930s? How does Molly feel about her education?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss the history of the Wabanaki Indians and the Penobscot people and which examines correlations between the prejudices against Native Americans and prejudices against the Irish. How are these prejudices illustrated in Orphan Train? What are some examples of bias that are seen against Molly in the novel? What are biases against Vivian that are presented?
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This section contains 1,049 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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