List two ways in which William tries to force Mrs. Phillips to stay with him. Argue as to how these methods would or would not make William happy. How do William’s tactics evolve and what does he ultimately learn from his desire to keep Mrs. Phillips by his side?

How does William’s father signal his intent to improve his relationship with his son? How does William respond and why? How does William’s relationship with his father relate to the novel’s theme of Passing the Tests of Adulthood?

Sir Simon helps William shrink Mrs. Phillips, but when he meets her, he realizes it was a bad plan. Why does he change his mind? What does this say about his sense of integrity?