In-class midterm study guide
Engl 385
The Brontes

This is a guide for the in-class portion of the midterm (Part II), but it is not a template for the exam. The ideas below, many of which we have discussed, are intended to help you think about the novels we've read and studied so far this semester. Use these ideas with your notes and own ideas to think about the novels we have read along with your review of the readings. (Consider the passages we have examined in class and those we have not.) You should consult Finally, don't forget the Course Notes page.

Focus on your notes and the texts. Write out practice responses to previous quiz questions as well as questions you make up using issues/themes below.  The card you used for group work (TTWH) in class has good notes.

Works covered:  TTWH, Shirley (Chpts 1-23, although you can go beyond these chapters)

**No notes or books for this part of the midterm.

Possible question types:

  1. *Multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blank, or matching
  2. *Short Answer  Think of individual works as well as comparing/contrasting works.

*Like quiz questions. You will have some choice.

Time for midterm: about 65mins although you will have 75mins. for thinking, writing, and reviewing.

Below are some issues/themes we have considered this semester while reading and discussing TTWH and Shirley (The focus is chapters 1-23, but you can reference the entire novel).  Think about each novel individually as well as comparing and contrasting the novels.  Some key terms/concepts:  The Woman Question, Separate Spheres Doctrine, Coverture, The Ideal of a Gentleman (Newman), The Condition of England Question, femininity, masculinity

  1. Temperance (alcoholism)
  2. Social class
  3. Marriage
  4. Female Friendship
  5. Gender issues: values that define femininty and masculinity
  6. Games: Hunting, Chess, Gambling (competition/games of skill)
  7. Separate Spheres Doctrine/Coverture
  8. Narration/Narrator
  9. Plotting
  10. Parents and Parenting//Mothers and Fathers
  11. Religion: Faith, Religious Values (Bible), Afterlife (Heaven), Unitarian Universalism (TTWH, endnote 51)
  12. Education
  13. Characterization (physical description - physiognomy/psychology, inner conflict)
  14. Writing Style
  15. Individualism (free will, choice)/Society (social conventions, laws, decorum)
  16. Free will - Fate