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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 Avel send Patty Jane in Chapter 9?

2. What causes Thor's affection for Patty Jane to decrease?

3. Who looked after Patty Jane when her parents died?

4. How much time has passed in Chapter 7 since Thor's disappearance?

5. What do Avel and Harriet do after driving in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is at the store when Harriet and Ione go to get cigarettes in Chapter 7?

2. What does Ione notice as Patty Jane's pregnancy becomes more obvious?

3. What does Patty Jane announce to Thor on the morning after their wedding? How do people react to the announcement?

4. Who picks Harriet up in Chapter 2 and where do they go?

5. How does Avel set off a fight at a bar on New Year's Eve?

6. What does Harriet show Avel when he returns to town in Chapter 6?

7. What is Harriet excited about in Chapter 9?

8. How does Ione anger Patty Jane in Chapter 9?

9. Why do Patty Jane and Harriet stay home on New Year's Eve in Chapter 4? What had their plans been?

10. What does Ione organize for the night before Avel is to leave for South America? What does Patty Jane tell Avel to do on that night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and interpret the relationships between Harriet and Avel and Harriet and Reese. What ups and downs do they experience during their relationships? Are they well-suited for one another? How does Harriet handle Avel's untimely death? How does Reese help Harriet pick up the pieces?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the relationship between Harriet and Patty Jane. Do they have a strong bond? What past experiences have brought them closer together? How do they handle being separated from one another during Harriet's alcoholism? How does Patty Jane react to Harriet's illness? How does she help Harriet at this time?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of grief in the novel. What are some examples of grief or grieving in the novel? Why are the characters grieving in these examples?

(see the answer keys)

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