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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. Where is Waymarsh from?

2. What does Strether say to Bilham concerning Jeanne in Book 6?

3. Who travels to Paris with Strether?

4. Why does Strether feel he has been sent to Paris?

5. What is Waymarsh's occupation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the garden party to which Chad invites Strether in Book 5?

2. How does Strether recognize Miss Gostrey?

3. Where does Strether first see Bilham standing?

4. To whom does Chad introduce Strether at the party in Book 5?

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

6. Why does Chad's mother want him to return to America?

7. How did Strether's son die?

8. What is the French term for breakfast and what does Waymarsh think about it?

9. Which characters have breakfast together at Chad's apartment in Book 3?

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

The author gives little detail about the particulars concerning the source of wealth of the characters. Certain of the characters have professions, others do not. Write an essay in which you analyze the role of money in the novel, particularly with a view to discussing how it affects certain characters' worldview and/or decisions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you examine James' psychological portrayal of his characters. Is it possible always to know what James' characters are thinking? Do certain characters' views surprise the reader? Are the thoughts of the characters of greater interest to the writer than the action of the plot? Examine the psychological complexity of the novel's characters, and argue whether you think The Ambassadors is a psychological novel.

Essay Topic 3

The difference between America and Europe is a prominent theme throughout the novel. Write an essay in which you discuss how the writer characterizes each country. You may use as evidence either descriptive language used with respect to each environment or the effect that these places have on the novel's characters.

(see the answer keys)

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