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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 item does the man often ask the woman to bring him?

2. In the man's story, how is the value of carpet determined?

3. In the prologue to the novel within the novel, the main character looks at a picture. What object is depicted on this picture on one side?

4. Who drives Iris to Montreal to see the lawyer?

5. Why does the king of Sakiel-Norn decide he wants to kill his mistress?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter 1, the protagonist of the sub novel looks at a picture. What does this picture depict?

2. How does Iris feel about the Laura Chase Memorial Prize?

3. How did the Snilfards prevent the sacrifice of their daughters?

4. In chapter 4, how does the woman feel about the man's story?

5. According to the news article in chapter 4, how does Norval Chase respond to the economic depression?

6. Why do you think Richard married Iris?

7. Why is it awkward between Liliana and Norval Chase when he returns from the war?

8. How does Norval Chase respond to the stock market crash and following economic depression?

9. Why does Benjamin Chase marry Adelia?

10. Why does Iris marry Richard Griffen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters struggle with their identities. Until Laura dies, Iris lets her father and then Richard control her rather than making her own decisions. Laura is much more free-spirited but even she lets Richard and what she believes to be God's will control her. Although Richard and Winifred seem to be in control, they are really controlled by societal expectations. How are the identities of the characters created in the novel? To what extent do the characters define their own identities and to what extent are their identities controlled by the expectations placed on them by the people around them? Which character do you think has the strongest sense of identity and why? Be sure that your response includes at least three characters.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the characters have very strong beliefs for which they are willing to sacrifice their lives and their livelihoods. In fact, many of the character's deaths are directly or indirectly caused by their stubborn adherence to their belief system. Choose a character and detail that particular character's belief system and how it influences the way this character lives. Are these beliefs deeply ingrained enough that this character is willing to die or suffer for them or are they fluid depending on the social climate?

Essay Topic 3

The novel explores many issues related to social class, both in the main narrative and the sub narrative. Compare the rigid class structure of Sakiel-Norn to that of the early to mid twentieth century class structure as depicted in the novel. Make sure to address such issues as social mobility, the value of money, and the disconnect between public appearances and private actions.

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