A major symbol in this novel is:

1. A major symbol in this novel is: The red pickle dish The sawmill The narrator’s engineering book Ethan’s eyeglasses Zeena’s cane

2. Ethan marries Zeena primarily because he is: • A victim of society’s prejudice • Indebted to her for taking care of his mother • Under the illusion that she has money • Lonely and wishes to have someone to speak with • Forced into it by relatives

3. We are told that Ethan would have never married Zeena: • If she had not tricked him • If he has realized her true personality • If it had been spring • If he had even a little money • If he had not felt sorry for her

4. Ethan and the narrator: • Have been to Florida • Have an interest in science and engineering • Have fathers who died violent deaths • Have unhappy marriages • Both a and b

5. The one time we see Zeena cry is: • When she hears about the accident • When Ethan defies her and takes Mattie to the station himself • When she tells Ethan she is much sicker than he thinks she is • When the injured Mattie is carried into the Hale house • When she finds her broken red pickle dish

6. Which of the following is an example of foreshadowing in the story? • Ethan watching Mattie dance • The story of Ned and Ruth’s near crash • The cat sitting on Zeena’s chair while she is away • Zeena’s false teeth • The cucumber vine hanging in the doorway

7. The narrator spends a night at Ethan’s house because • He feels he cannot turn down the invitation without offending Ethan • They could go no further in the snowstorm • Mrs. Hale arranges it on the night she cannot put up the narrator • He knows Ethan needs the money • Both c and d

8. When Harmon Gow says that Ethan will live to be a hundred, the narrator thinks that • Ethan will be lucky to last a year • Ethan looks a little older than he is • Ethan looks as if he is already dead and in hell now • Ethan is in good shape for a man his age • Both a and b

9. Starkfield is an appropriate name for the town because • It is cold and barren all year • It is not a pretty place • It was named after the man who founded it • Many of its residents are lonely and live empty lives • It contains many farms

10. By the end of the novel, the reader realizes that the reason Mattie does not go with Dennis Eady in his sleigh is because Mattie • is a very prejudiced person who could not stand Irish-Catholics • Is afraid of ruining her reputation • Is not sure she could control her own passion if left alone with him • Loves Ethan • Knows that Zeena had planned to trap and discredit her

11. Ethan has to withdraw from college after one year because • His grades are too low • His mother gets sick • His father dies • A fire destroys much of the family’s belongings and all their money • The bank is going to foreclose on the farm

12. Within a year of their marriage, Zeena • Became sickly • Told Ethan that she is not really going to have baby • Told Ethan that she does not love him now, and has never loved him • Lost all her money • Took up with another man

13. From his relationship with Mattie, Ethan gets • Sensitivity • Warmth • Money • Bitterness • Both a and b

14. Mattie’s main reason for coming to live with the Fromes is • To find a husband • To go to a nearly college • To enjoy a change of scenery • To find shelter after her father dies • To swindle them

15. Ethan’s plan to get some money from Hale and leave town with Mattie falls apart when • Mr. Hale suspects what he is up to • Mr. Hale tells how he is about to die and has little money to leave his family • Mrs. Hale speaks kindly to Ethan • Mrs. Hale warns him of what will happen to Zeena if he leaves • Ethan looks back and sees Zeena crying in the doorway

16. The only time in the story when Ethan explicitly defies Zeena is when he • Insists on taking Mattie to the train • Refuses to accompany Mattie home from the dances • Refuses to invite Dennis Eady home for supper • Insists on firing the new girl • Refuses to say how the pickle dish got broken

17. On those occasions when Ethan tells Mattie “come along,” it reveals • His desire to control her • His inability to express what he actually wants to say • His reluctance to speak with her • His jealousy of Dennis Eady • His need to communicate

18. When Ethan sees Ruth and Ned kissing under the tree he • Is jealous of their love • Is happy for Ruth, for whom he has always felt sorry • Is angered and disturbed by their public display of affection • Compares them to Mattie and himself • Is angry that Ned stole his girl

19. Which of the following is NOT a reason Zeena might want to get rid of Mattie? • Mattie is not very good at housework • Zeena suspects something is going on between Ethan and Mattie • Zeena cannot tolerate Mattie’s incessant talking • Mattie is expensive to keep • The doctor has advised Zeena to hire professional household help

20. It is ironic that the person now doing most of the housework in the epilogue is • The new girl Ethan did not wish to hire initially • Zeena • Mattie • Mrs. Hale • Ethan

21. Essays (answer only one in three paragraphs) • Discuss symbolism in the novel. Choose at least three symbolic objects in the novel and explain how Edith Wharton gives them significant meaning. 2. Identify the dominant point-of-view used in the novel and explain its effectiveness. Then, tell how the story might have been different if told with a different point-of-view.

22. Essays 3. Discuss the role of foreshadowing in the novel. Identify and explain at least three instances of foreshadowing. 4. Use your imagination to predict another way the story might have ended. Consider the following questions as possible prompts for your answer. What would have happened: • If Ethan and Mattie had not crashed the sled? • If Zeena had never found the broken pickle dish? • If Ethan had gotten the fifty dollars from Mr. Hale? Choose only ONE scenario and write three paragraphs.