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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 does the box Gigi finds under the bathtub contain?

2. When Richard Misner arrives to visit Patricia, what does he want to know?

3. What was the man who built the Convent arrested for?

4. In addition to Senior Pullman, who presides at K.D. and Arnette's wedding?

5. One day, who arrives at the Convent instead of Deek?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of prejudice does Patricia witness in Ruby?

2. Why does Gigi receive fifty dollars for the box she finds under the bathtub?

3. What do some of the people that try to stop the massacre seem more concerned about than the welfare of the women of the Convent?

4. What sort of dilemma does Billie face in her romantic life?

5. What are some of K.D.'s thoughts about marriage that indicate that he still has an immature or naïve worldview?

6. What were the circumstances surrounding Ruby Best's death?

7. Why do some people believe that Senior Pullman's negative remarks are directed at Richard Misner?

8. What are some possible reasons for Connie spending so much time in the basement?

9. Why do many parents of the town instruct their children to stay away from Billie Delia, and is this reputation deserved?

10. What started the townspeople's idea that Billie was a wild child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the final line of the book. How does the final line of the book relate to the entire preceding novel? How does this conception of paradise help explain the novel's title?

Essay Topic 2

How do the people of Ruby recreate the same prejudices and forms of discrimination that the founders were trying to escape?

Essay Topic 3

Generally in fiction there is a clear protagonist and a clear antagonist. Can this be said of the novel "Paradise"? If you believe the novel contains a clear protagonist and antagonist, name them and explain how they fit these roles. If you believe there are no clear protagonists or antagonists, explain how this is the case.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 772 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample