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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jim encourage Maureen to do?

2. What prevents Nadine from committing fully to a relationship with Jules?

3. Who is Miss Oates?

4. Who has been visiting Loretta and her children in Chapter 7 of the second book?

5. How long have Jim and his wife been married?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loretta doesn't understand why she has no connection with her children as adults. What do you think is the reason for the disconnect between them? Is there anything that Loretta could have done differently? Why does Loretta hypothesize that maybe she had the wrong children? Do you think she really believes this? Or is she simply trying to find a reason so she doesn't have to feel guilty? Do you think the disconnect is a result of Loretta's parenting, the family's situation, or a combination of the two? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The pronoun "them" is not only the title of the novel, but it is an idea alluded to many times throughout the story. What does the author mean by "them"? Who is she talking about? What point is she trying to convey by grouping so many different people under a single pronoun? What effect does the usage of this term have on your perception of the characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Jules is involved with a series of women in his life, each of them very different from the others. Who are these women? Do they have one thing in common that attracts Jules to them? If so, what is it? How healthy are these relationships? What does each of these women have to offer Jules? What do they each take from him? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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