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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 does the vivandiere say she was able to get the food she and Patrick are eating?

2. What is Patrick´s response when Henri asks him to desert with him?

3. What does Henri kill Villanelle´s husband with?

4. In what year does Henri first see Venice?

5. What is Villanelle happy she is unable to collect before she leaves in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Russian peasants call the czar? What do they do as the Napoleonic army arrives?

2. What does Henri do after he kills Villanelle's husband? What is Villanelle's reaction?

3. In the beginning of Chapter 3, what is Henri´s emotional state? What is Henri´s physical state?

4. How does Villanelle know the cook? What connection does Henri finally make between him, Villanelle, and her fluency in French?

5. How long does Villanelle say she knew the Queen of Spades? How many nights did they have together?

6. When Villanelle's husband catches up with her, what do they do to settle the score? What happens to Villanelle?

7. What does Henri find in the sixth room of the Queen's house? How complete is it? What is important about this?

8. What is the only time that Henri sees Villanelle's feet? What is Henri's reaction to her feet?

9. When Villanelle visits the Queen in Chapter 4, what does she realize about their relationship? What is she afraid of while she visits? What does she do to protect herself?

10. When Henri thinks about taking Villanelle to France to live with him, what does he say he would always be afraid of? Why would he be afraid of this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick is an important character in the novel. His influence on both Henri and Villanelle is key to their interaction. Write on essay on the character of Patrick and his role in the novel, with special emphasis on the impact he has on the other characters.

Essay Topic 2

The relationship between the two narrators is a central theme in The Passion. Write an essay about the relationship between Villanelle and Henri from both sides, as Winterson does. How is their love impossible?

Essay Topic 3

In The Passion, sexuality is a key theme. Write an essay on the role of sexuality and gender in the novel, and its effect on the characters. Be sure to use at least three characters in your argument.

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