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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 did Hortensia and Peter never have children?

2. What did Marion’s parents initially want her to pursue?

3. How does Marion feel when she witnesses Hortensia being kind?

4. What does Hortensia do that causes Marion to move out?

5. Instead of her bedroom, where does Hortensia sleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hortensia say she does not want to “absolve” Marion?

2. Why is Marion surprised by Hortensia’s interaction with Innes?

3. How does Marion feel to be staying in No. 10 Katterijn Avenue?

4. What does the photograph that covers the stain in Hortensia’s room symbolize?

5. How do Hortensia and Marion’s perspectives on housekeepers differ?

6. What does Marion removing the stain from Hortensia’s wall symbolize?

7. Why does Hortensia slap Marion?

8. How does Chapter Sixteen show Hortensia develop?

9. How does Marion feel about the torture schematics she finds at the library?

10. How does architecture tie into Marion’s racism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the origins of Marion and Hortensia’s feud? Point to examples from the novel that indicate how their mutual loathing developed and why it became so fierce.

Essay Topic 2

What factors shape Hortensia’s very negative and mean attitude? What elements from her past? What elements from her present?

Essay Topic 3

How does the novel explain the development of Marion’s racism? What specific scenes from her childhood cause her to develop in the manner that she does?

(see the answer keys)

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