Page 1102 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

5. When Louise first realizes that she is feeling an emotion that
might be inappropriate to a new widow, what does she do?

a. She tries to beat it back by force of will.

b. She embraces it fully.

c. She calls her sister in to discuss it.

d. She walks down the stairs like a goddess of Victory.

6. Which of the following best characterizes Brently Mallard?

a. married to his work

b. strong-willed, emotionally abusive, and overbearing

c. willing to give Louise space to be herself

d. kind, tender, and loving

7. The doctors’ statement that Louise has died “of joy that kills” is

a. true. Louise is so happy to see her husband that she has

a heart attack and dies.

b. ironic. Louise’s joy was in anticipating her freedom; she

dies when that joy is taken away.
c. ridiculous. A doctor’s job is to be scientific, not to try to

give high-flown poetic meaning to biological death.

d. symbolic. In the universe of the story, when one life is

returned, another has to be taken.

Looking at Language

8. Louise does not ask if the joy she feels is “monstrous.” What
does that mean? Is her joy monstrous? Why or why not?