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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 does Mrs. Kingsley do when Marlowe tells her Bill says she made a pass at him?

2. When Marlowe returns to Lavery's house to report the murder, what sound does he hear in the quiet house?

3. Who breaks the news to Kingsley that his wife is dead?

4. What color is Captain Webber's hair?

5. What does Marlowe say Patton should do, when Degarmo wants to leave?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Marlowe, why did Muriel Chess have an affair with Lavery?

2. How does the desk sergeant annoy Degarmo?

3. What is Mrs. Talley's attitude?

4. How does Grayson describe Mr. Talley?

5. What reason does Marlowe give Mrs. Kingsley that she'll miss him?

6. What is the big coincidence that Marlowe identifies in the case?

7. What reason does Marlowe give to Degarmo for telling Degarmo all Marlowe suspects, on the ride up to Kingsley's cabin?

8. Why is Marlowe surprised that Mrs. Kingsley would need money from her husband?

9. What does Marlowe say about Muriel's explanation of why she went back to Lavery's the morning after the murder?

10. What important information does Marlowe gain from Captain Webber?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marlowe's job puts him into dangerous situations. Discuss danger in the novel.

1) What causes danger in the novel? How is danger inherent in Marlowe's work?

2) How does Marlowe react to dangerous situations? What are his emotional responses? What are his intellectual responses, and what action does he take?

3) How do the antagonists in the novel react when they are in danger?

Essay Topic 2

Phillip Marlowe is the central character of the novel, and the whole plot is seen through his eyes. Discuss Marlowe's character.

1) How does Marlowe deal with his job, including managing clients, dealing with the police, and handling danger?

2) What is Marlowe's moral and ethical code? How does that code drive his actions?

3) What qualities does Marlowe have that make him a good detective? What does his job demand from him?

Essay Topic 3

As a crime novel, The Lady in the Lake is concerned with justice. Discuss justice in the novel.

1) What does Marlowe consider justice to be?

2) How does the law deliver justice, or does it? What is the relationship between the law and justice?

3) Does the novel deliver justice to its characters? In what ways?

(see the answer keys)

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