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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. Which of the following people does not have a key to the belfry stairs?

2. On what day of the year does the book open?

3. Who do the Ashtons drive home in a snowstorm after finding him in his car on the side of the road, too ill with influenza to drive further?

4. Which bell at Fenchurch St. Paul is considered unlucky?

5. At what event was Mrs. Wilbraham's emerald necklace stolen?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Mrs. Venables a foil to the character of her husband, Reverend Venables?

2. What is the interior of Fenchurch St. Paul like?

3. During the funeral for the unidentified male corpse from Lady Thorpe's grave, what questions does Lord Peter ask himself about the corpse's death?

4. Why do Superintendent Blundell and Lord Peter suspect that the Thoday brothers may have been involved in the death of Jean Legros?

5. What unique narrative techniques does Dorothy L. Sayers use in The Nine Tailors?

6. What educational and career plans does Hilary Thorpe express to her father before he dies?

7. How does Nobby Cranton react when Lord Peter shows him the cipher written on French paper and what does his reaction indicate?

8. Who is Superintendent Blundell?

9. What does the sluice-keeper complain about in the chapter entitled "Tailor Paul is Called Before With a Single," and what does his complaint foreshadow?

10. Who is Potty Peake and how reliable is his testimony considered?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of religion and ritual in The Nine Tailors. What do you think the author is trying to say about religion in English society through this novel? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Lord Peter Wimsey is the protagonist of the novel and is an aristocrat and amateur detective. Discuss the character of Lord Peter and his role as protagonist or hero. What are his character strengths and flaws? How do these strengths and flaws help and hinder him during the story? How does his aristocratic background help or hinder his detective work? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Select at least three chapters from the novel. Discuss how the titles of the chapters relate to the plots, themes and characters in each chapter. Do any of the titles seem to have more than one possible meaning? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

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