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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. Why does Clarissa imagine Julia despises her?

2. With what profession is Nelly's calm compared?

3. What is the devil Virginia refers to?

4. At what time of day does Virginia set off for a walk?

5. Who wears gold-rimmed glasses?

Short Essay Questions

1. What fears does Virginia have at this point in the novel?

2. Why does Laura delay joining her husband in bed as his birthday draws to an end?

3. What distracts Laura as she gets out of her car at Mrs. Latch's house?

4. In what way is Laura's ambivalence towards her husband evident in Chapter 19 of The Hours?

5. What does Virginia see as a kind of devil?

6. Why is suicide not an option for Laura?

7. Why does Walter want to buy his young partner a present?

8. What are some of the ways in which Laura justifies to herself her trip to the hotel just in order to read?

9. What are Laura's rather bitter hopes about heaven?

10. What does Louis think of Clarissa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed critical essay on Michael Cunningham's The Hours. This should be a substantial essay that examines concepts, style, imagery, characterization and imaginative vision. Evaluate the novel. Do you think it deserved its Pulitzer Prize? You will need to write 800-1,000 words.

Essay Topic 2

'Clarissa Vaughan is the only attractive character in Michael Cunningham's The Hours.' Is this a fair comment? Discuss the main characters in the novel (Clarissa, Virginia, Laura, Richard) and refer to others as you think appropriate.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways do you think imagery is important in Michael Cunningham's The Hours? Consider concepts and characters and refer closely to the novel.

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This section contains 801 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample