Still Stands the House



Still Stands the House /75 (/2)= /37.5 Name: ___________________

Gwen Pharis Ringwood

Please complete all the questions listed. You do not need to answer in full sentences.

Section 1 (beginning-p.69) /25

1. Describe the setting of the play.

2. Why does Ruth invite Mr. Manning to spend the night?

3. Provide 3 pieces of evidence which suggest that Mr. Manning is a man of substantial wealth. /3

4. What story does Manning tell of prairie blizzards?

5. Quote Ruth’s stated opinion of prairie winters.

6. What do we learn about Ruth from her words as quoted in question #5?

7. What business proposition has Manning presented to the Warrens?

8. How long does Bruce have to sign the papers? Why the urgency?

9. How does Ruth feel about the proposition? Bruce? Hester? /3

10. What does Hester carry clasped to her breast?

11. From which room does Hester emerge and why is Ruth surprised?

12. After Manning departs, Hester sees the deed of sale on the table and begins to hurl accusations at Ruth. What accusations does she make?

13. What are hyacinths? Explain Hester and Ruth’s differing opinions of the hyacinths. /2

14. What conflict arises over the Wedgwood bowl?

15. Explain the symbolism of the Wedgwood bowl.

16. What is the contest of Hester’s comment, “Old things have beauty when you’ve eyes to see it”?

17. “Bruce was born on a night like this.” What causes Hester to make the comment and of what significance is it?

18. Describe Hester’s recollection of the night that Bruce was born.

19. According to Hester, her father liked the snow. How did he describe it?

20. What condemnation of Bruce does Hester imply in her comments about her father’s love of the land and success in harvesting good crops?

Still Stands the House

Gwen Pharis Ringwood

Section 2 (p.69-p.73) /15

1. Explain Hester’s reaction when Ruth touches the portrait of Hester and Bruce’s father.

2. When Ruth attempts to broach (mention/bring up) the subject of her relationship with Hester, Hester avoids the conversation by speaking of the chores which must be done. Explain the exchange which occurs over the filling of the lanterns. /2

3. Why does Hester tell Ruth to put a lantern in the window?

4. When Ruth asks Hester if she will mind the baby in the house, Hester replies that she will not be troubled by it yet we sense some bitterness on her part. Explain. /2

5. Why, according to Hester, did she never marry and have a family of her own?

6. Why does Hester become enraged over Ruth’s plan to recover the chair?

7. When Bruce and Ruth go into the kitchen to put the milk into the separator, what does Hester do? Of what symbolic significance is her action?

8. The conflict between Hester and Ruth is obviously ongoing. What evidence confirms the hostility between them? /2

9. When Hester goes into the kitchen to separate the milk, Ruth and Bruce end up in a disagreement. Explain their differences of opinion and how these differing opinions lead them into an argument. /2

10. What is the essential difference in Bruce’s feelings towards the farmstead and the land and Ruth’s?

11. By the end of the argument, what decision has Bruce made? What, in your opinion, is the decisive factor in Bruce making the choice that he does?

Still Stands the House

Gwen Pharis Ringwood

Section 3 (p.74-end) /25

1. How does Hester react to Bruce’s decision?

2. When Bruce checks on the mare, what does he discover?

3. When Bruce announces his intention to go the three miles to the coulee to bring the mare back, what does he take with him?

4. Of what significance is the fact that Hester, unknowingly, is slowly unraveling her knitting as she begins a monologue about the house and her past?

5. What terrible realization does Ruth make?

6. Because Ruth realizes that Bruce will never find his way home without the light of the lantern, what does she decide to do?

7. Explain the events which occur to the end of the play. /4

8. At what point is the climax of the play reached? Justify your answer. /2

9. The literary merit of Still Stands the House is largely achieved by the use of foreshadowing, symbolism, and imagery. Give at least three examples of each and explain the effectiveness of each in the play. /6

10. Explain the double meaning of the word ‘still’ and the significance of the title, Still Stands the House. /2

11. What is the final biblical reading which Hester reads aloud and of what significance is the reading?

12. In your opinion is Hester guilty of murder? If so, what is her best defense? /2

13. What is the theme of the play? (A Theme is not one word) /2

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download