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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 is most exciting to Carrie about her second job in New York?

2. What does Carrie do with the extra money she gets from the raise at her first job in New York?

3. What gives Carrie joy in during her long train ride with Hurstwood?

4. Where is Carrie preparing to go when she almost turns down an invitation to Mrs. Vance's house?

5. What does Hurstwood see when he first drives a trolley out in public?

Short Essay Questions

1. What awakens Carrie's desires to have the luxuries of life just after she is married to Hurstwood?

2. What does Hurstwood do after his first two days working as a trolley driver?

3. How does Hurstwood respond to the news of Carrie's theatrical success?

4. What makes Carrie feel less guilt about leaving Hurstwood the way she did?

5. Why is Hurstwood unable to find employment after his saloon in New York closes?

6. Why does Carrie say she does not date after finding so much success on stage?

7. What does Hurstwood find awaiting him when he tries to get a job as a trolley driver?

8. Why is Carrie so surprised about being able to find a job so fast in New York?

9. How does Hurstwood get a warm bed for the night when he is released from the hospital?

10. What is so strange about the marriage between Carrie and Hurstwood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Carrie and Mrs. Vance are very similar in nature although very different in many other areas. What are some of these intrinsic differences and similarities, and what message(s) was Dreiser was trying to send with these two characters?

Essay Topic 2

Hurstwood's foolhardy and selfish nature wreaked havoc throughout the entire book. What are some examples of this foolish behavior, and how did these actions affect the characters around him? Do you think the author was sending a message through Hurstwood's behavior? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Lola is a minor character whose presence made a big difference in the plot. How did she accomplish this? What are some ways that her presence, however brief, altered the outcome of the plot? What might have happened differently if Lola had not been in the book at all?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 669 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample