View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Little Hours," what time does the narrator wake?

2. What does Hazel ask Nettie to do for her after her suicide attempt?

3. What does the narrator of "Cherry White" think of whenever she sees a cherry bough or a flowering tree?

4. Why does the narrator refuse to count sheep?

5. After Herbie leaves, how much time passes before Hazel hears any news about him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hazel Morse lose her own identity in her efforts to please others in the short story "Big Blonde"?

2. In "Soldiers of the Republic," what does the narrator learn about the life of a soldier?

3. Explain the irony in "Ninon de Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday."

4. Compare the poems "Ultimatum" and "Requiescat." How are they similar?

5. What is the lesson behind the poem "Parable for a Certain Virgin"?

6. Compare the poems "Bric-A-Brac," "Fulfillment," and "Theory." What do these poems have in common?

7. What story is told through the poem "There Was One"?

8. In "Mrs. Hofstadter on Josephine Street," how is Horace the exact opposite of what the narrator and her husband are looking for?

9. What kind of advice do the poems "Prologue to a Saga" and "The Lady's Reward" give to women?

10. Explain the allusions in the poem "Prayer for a New Mother."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Dorothy Parker's "Self Portrait" and her letters. What do these pieces reveal about her as a person? How do these revelations compare to the themes and characters that she writes about? Be sure to include specific examples and quotations to support these observations.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Dorothy Parker's poetic style. How does she use rhyme, rhythm, and sound? How does she use suspense and irony? How would you describe the tone and mood of her poetry? What are some common themes that she deals with? Be sure to use specific examples, especially quotations, to support your description.

Essay Topic 3

One of Dorothy Parker's favorite criticism is of hypocrisy. Her stories, poetry, and essays often focus on people who behave in ways that are contrary to their professed values. Examine Parker's criticism of hypocrisy in all three genres. How do the different genres support the same perspective? In what ways are these approaches similar? In what ways are they different? Be sure to support your points with examples and quotations from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,709 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample