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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. With what does Mrs. Dangle claim her husband makes himself look ridiculous?

2. Who says that abuse is always going to appear from somewhere?

3. What kind of producers do Dangle, Sneer and Plagiary question the wisdom of sending a play to?

4. What does Sneer explain that the writer of his moralistic comedy about a reformed housebreaker is determined to use the theatre for?

5. What does the Prologue accuse the Muses of being corrupted by?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does each of the characters (Dangle, Mrs. Dangle, and Sneer) believe is the cause of the deterioration of theatre?

2. Describe Puff's play in terms of the dialogue, emotion, etc.

3. How do Puff and Dangle comment on the romantic complications in the play?

4. What do Sneer and Dangle tell Plagiary about an imaginary critique of his play?

5. What does Puff argue for in the beginning of Act 2, Scene 1?

6. How do Dangle, Mrs. Dangle, and Sneer react to the announcement of Plagiary's arrival?

7. What does Puff talk about at great length?

8. How does Plagiary react to the imaginary critique of his play?

9. What is the role of the Muses in the Prologue?

10. After the love scene finishes, what does Puff congratulate himself on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the setting of "The Critic" significant? What would change if the play were set in a different location?

Essay Topic 2

Explain how Mr. Dangle comes to characterize a sentimental romance as a tragedy. What makes this style a tragedy during this time?

Essay Topic 3

How does the point-of-view enhance and inhibit the story? How would the story be different if a different point of view were used?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 780 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample