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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 Tom think Freddie is the type to beat up?

2. What is the name of the cafe where Tom meets a young American?

3. What is William J. Slatterer's job?

4. What part of Tom's meal makes him feel mellow?

5. What does Tom follow Dickie out of the bar like?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Tom like the relationship he has with Cleo?

2. What lie does Tom tell Dickie when they meet?

3. Why does Tom feel proud of the work he has done for Mr. Greenleaf?

4. How does Dickie anger Tom in Chapter 10?

5. Why is it safe for Tom to tell the Greenleafs he studied in Princeton?

6. Why is Tom frightened of water?

7. Why does Tom immediately hate Marge?

8. Why does Tom have a long conversation with a painter called Carlino?

9. How does Tom kill Dickie?

10. How does Dickie insult Tom in Chapter 12?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Tom Ripley's's character across the whole series.

1) How does Highsmith develop Ripley's character across the whole series?

2) Does THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY add any new elements to Ripley's character? If so, what?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Tom hate himself? How much is this self-hatred responsible for Tom's actions so far in the book?

Essay Topic 3

How does Tom suffer from being a homosexual in the Fifties? What do you think would happen to Tom if he openly admitted he was gay? How does Partricia Highsmith use the novel to comment on attitudes towards homosexuals in the Fifties?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 672 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample