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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 is the final price of Noemie's painting when it is delivered?

2. Who does Mrs. Tristam tell Newman is persecuting Claire?

3. What does everyone drink during Newman's first visit to see Claire?

4. In what magazine was "The American" originally published as a series?

5. Whom does Newman leave behind when he begins his formal tour of Europe?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Newman allow Tristam to choose a new apartment for him?

2. Why does Newman not want to play poker with Tristam?

3. What does Newman think about the fact that he is the only dinner guest at the Bellegardes one evening?

4. How does Nioche find a solution for the lack of dowry money he has for his daughter?

5. What does Newman tell Tristam his reason is for being in Paris?

6. How does Claire's mother react when Newman tells her that he intends to marry Claire some day?

7. What impression does Newman get from Urbain during his dinner at the Bellegardes in Chapter XII?

8. What causes Claire to shift from threatening to banish Newman if he talked about marriage again to making him wait 6 months instead?

9. What does Valentin think Noemie's absence from her father's house symbolizes?

10. How does Mrs. Tristam respond when she learns that Newman has never been married?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss at least 3 ways the novel would change if it were written from the perspective of Claire. Include in your discussion at least 3 literary devices James could use while writing from these different perspectives.

Essay Topic 2

Identify what you think is the tone for "The American" and discuss 3 literary devices that James uses to create this tone.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze at least 3 different literary techniques James uses to create tension in "The American."

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