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. Why couldn't Mary end the marriage?

2. For what is the Princess known?

3. What does the Princess ask of Mary?

4. Of what is Rowley concerned?

5. At what has Edgar proven himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Colonel think of Edgar's prospects in his career?

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

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

4. What does Mary think of the Princess' comments on marriage to Edgar?

5. What is surprising about Mary's response to Edgar's proposal?

6. How has Mary been spending her time lately and what bearing does that have to do with Mary being at the villa?

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

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

9. Why does Rowley propose to Mary and how does she respond?

10. Why is Mary conflicted about attending the party?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Up at the Villa, like many, and perhaps a majority of novels, seems to end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Up at the Villa and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Up at the Villa is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,085 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample