A Dead Woman's Secret

Which of the following best describes the nun's initial feelings about her mother?

• She feels indifferent and detached.

• She idolizes her mother and believes she was a perfect woman.

• She resents her mother’s quiet, reserved nature.

• She is suspicious of her mother’s hidden past.

Answer explanation

The nun initially idolizes her mother, viewing her as a perfect woman. This admiration reflects her deep respect and idealization, contrasting with feelings of indifference or resentment.

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How does the magistrate's view of his mother change after reading her letters?

• He becomes angry and feels betrayed.

• He gains a deeper appreciation for her sacrifices.

• He remains unaffected, seeing her as the same.

• He becomes filled with admiration for her resilience.

Answer explanation

After reading his mother's letters, the magistrate gains a deeper appreciation for her sacrifices, realizing the challenges she faced and the strength she exhibited, which alters his perception of her role in his life.

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What is revealed about the mother’s character through her hidden letters?

• She was a strict, morally upright woman.

• She led a passionate life with a secret love.

• She was distant and had few close relationships.

• She was lonely and unfulfilled by her family.

Answer explanation

The hidden letters reveal that the mother led a passionate life with a secret love, indicating depth and complexity in her character beyond the surface of her family role.

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How does the nun respond after learning the truth about her mother’s life?

• She is forgiving and understanding.

• She rejects the memory of her mother.

• She becomes angry and accuses her mother of hypocrisy.

• She distances herself emotionally from her mother’s memory.

Answer explanation

The nun's reaction reveals her anger and disappointment upon discovering her mother's past, leading her to accuse her of hypocrisy. This response highlights her struggle with the conflicting emotions regarding her mother's choices.

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The story begins with the nun and the magistrate reverently mourning their mother. How does this structure initially affect the reader's perception of the mother?

• It portrays her as a flawed individual.

• It creates an image of her as a highly respectable and moral woman.

• It suggests that she had a secretive nature from the beginning.

• It implies that the children had a strained relationship with her.

Answer explanation

The initial mourning by the nun and magistrate establishes a tone of reverence, suggesting that their mother is viewed as a highly respectable and moral woman, shaping the reader's perception positively.

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What effect does the sudden shift from mourning to the discovery of the letters have on the story?

• It introduces a sense of relief and reconciliation.

• It adds a sense of mystery and shock for the reader.

• It makes the children feel closer to their mother’s memory.

• It reveals that the mother was not a significant figure in their lives.

Answer explanation

The sudden shift from mourning to discovering the letters introduces a sense of mystery and shock for the reader, as it reveals hidden aspects of the mother's life, altering the emotional landscape of the story.

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How does Maupassant’s decision to reveal the mother’s secrets through her letters impact the tone of the story?

• It creates a tone of humor and irony.

• It transforms the tone from reverent to tragic and disillusioned.

• It establishes a tone of indifference and detachment.

• It creates a joyful and celebratory tone.

Answer explanation

Maupassant's use of letters reveals the mother's hidden truths, shifting the tone from initial reverence to one of tragedy and disillusionment, highlighting the stark contrast between perception and reality.

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What is the effect of ending the story with the nun’s reaction to the letters rather than with an explanation of her mother’s secret?

• It leaves the reader feeling satisfied and at peace.

• It adds suspense and allows the reader to imagine the characters’ feelings.

• It undermines the reader’s sympathy for the characters.

• It shifts focus from the mother’s life to the children’s grief.

Answer explanation

Ending with the nun's reaction creates suspense, allowing readers to ponder the emotional impact of the letters. This choice emphasizes the characters' feelings rather than providing a straightforward resolution about the mother's secret.

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How does the contrast between the children’s view of their mother and the reality presented by her letters create tension in the story?

• It makes the story confusing and hard to follow.

• It highlights the children’s naivety and creates suspense as they uncover the truth.

• It immediately reveals the mother’s dishonesty without much buildup.

• It creates an idealized image of family relationships.

Answer explanation

The contrast between the children's idealized view of their mother and the reality of her letters emphasizes their naivety, creating suspense as they gradually uncover the truth about her character and their family dynamics.

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What literary effect does Maupassant create by using a narrative structure that withholds key information about the mother until the climax?

• It builds sympathy for the mother’s character.

• It creates an ironic twist that changes the reader’s understanding of the story.

• It distances the reader emotionally from the story.

• It makes the story seem ordinary and predictable.

Answer explanation

By withholding key information about the mother until the climax, Maupassant creates an ironic twist that reshapes the reader's understanding, revealing deeper layers to her character and the story's themes.

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