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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 does Strether describe Chad's apartment?

2. What does Strether ask Chad in Book 5?

3. What does Miss Gostrey say about her occupation?

4. What does Waymarsh think of Europe?

5. Where was Strether before Chester?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Strether learn Miss Gostrey's name?

2. Where do Strether and Miss Gostrey take a walk in Book 1?

3. In what part of the city is Miss Gostrey's apartment?

4. How much time elapses before Miss Gostrey arrives in Paris in Book 3?

5. What does Madame de Vionnet say to Strether when she first meets him?

6. What is Jeanne wearing when Strether first meets her?

7. What analogy does Waymarsh use to refer to Strether's errand in Book 3?

8. Where is Chad's apartment in Paris?

9. Where does Strether first see Bilham standing?

10. How do Madame de Vionnet and Miss Gostrey know one another?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many instances in the novel of characters being disingenuous, lying, or withholding information. Strether occasionally notices these lies but does not count them as strong moral judgments. Write an essay explaining what justifies lying from Strether's point of view, including whether you consider that all lies are justified or only in specific circumstances.

Essay Topic 2

Madame de Vionnet has a profound effect on both Chad and Strether. Write an essay in which you analyze Madame de Vionnet's source of power and what she represents (and whether is it the same) for each man.

Essay Topic 3

The author frequently intersperses the novel with terms in French. Write an essay in which you analyze the effect that these instances of French have on the tone, setting, and/or themes of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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