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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. How much money did Larry give Suzanne?

2. From where does Larry get the $3,000?

3. For what does Isabel ask the narrator to join her?

4. Where does Elliott tell Mrs. Bradley they should go for the rest of the season?

5. Where does Larry say he learned hypnosis?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Larry say about his time away?

2. What is Maugham's opinion of Larry?

3. How do things change for Elliott in Chapter 6?

4. How is Larry when he meets Isabel and Gray in Chapter 7?

5. Why does Isabel become so lustful in the car?

6. Describe Isabel's marriage and life with Gray.

7. What do the adults say about Larry's future?

8. What does Maugham say he has changed about the real story?

9. Describe Gray Maturin

10. Describe the point of view Maugham uses.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Razor's Edge is part of the philosophical genre.

1) What are the conventions of the The Razor's Edge genre in terms of character, language and plot?

2) In what way did The Razor's Edge help to set the template for similar novels? Do modern novels still use the ideas used in The Razor's Edge?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the problems Europe faced after the First World War. Did Europe change? How did this change affect America? Was this change reflected in the arts? Find an art movement after the First World War and examine what kind of thoughts and feelings it was trying to express. Are these thoughts also reflected in Maugham's the Razor's Edge?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the novel's characterization. How well drawn do you think Maugham's characters are? Select one of the minor characters such as Mrs.Bradley and discuss how much you know about her background. In what ways does Maugham provide the reader with information about that character?

(see the answer keys)

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