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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. What does Edgar give Ciro?

2. Why does Mary have second thoughts about attending the party?

3. Why does Mary drive around the area?

4. What does Mary wish she had done?

5. How does Mary respond to Edgar's question?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mary point out about Rowley's reputation and what is his response?

2. How does Mary meet Karl Richter?

3. What does narration say of the villa in which Mary is staying?

4. What are the topics of conversation between Rowley and Mary?

5. How does Edgar bring up the subject of marriage to Mary?

6. Why is Mary conflicted about attending the party?

7. What is passed around at the end of the party and what does Mary do?

8. What is Mary's response to Rowley's questions about Edgar and how does Rowley respond?

9. How long has Mary known Edgar and what was Mary's mother's opinion of the man?

10. What is paradoxical about the Princess's personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maugham chooses to write the novel as a third person, impersonal narrator. Discuss the following:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this novel being written in the third person, impersonal narration?

2. Do you think the novel would be more effective in a different point of view? Which one if so? If not why do you think the impersonal narrator works the best?

3. Do you think the narrator in Up at the Villa is reliable, i.e., do you believe the narrator is completely unbiased? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Up at the Villa takes place in Tuscany, Italy in the late 1930s. Discuss the following:

1. Research and discuss the political setting of Italy and Europe in the late 1930s. How do you think the political situation informs the plot of Up at the Villa? Explain.

2. Discuss the lives of Mary and her social group in light of what is taking place in Europe in the late 1930s. Do you think they are unaware of the pending horror that is about to be unleashed? Do their behaviors seem superficial considering that refugees are coming into Italy (not just Karl) escaping an increasingly tyrannical Germany?

3. Do you think a novel set in Europe in this area can be successful when it ignores the dire situation in Europe? Discuss your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Titles are thought to be very important in both giving the reader a clue about the story and enticing one to read a book. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Up at the Villa is the chosen title for this novel?

2. Do you think this title would entice you to read this novel? Why or why not?

3. Do you think this rather nondescript title reflects the story it heralds? Explain your response using examples from the book.

4. If you had to title this novel in order to encourage more readers, what would you name it and why?

(see the answer keys)

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