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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Margaret and Odessa agree that Brother Boxer doesn't have any right to be doing?

2. During the first act, Brother Boxer tell his wife and Sister Moore that he's heard that David's father is back in town. Where is David's father reportedly working?

3. Which of the characters is the pastor as the play opens?

4. Who calls Luke a "bad boy"?

5. What type of set is used in "The Amen Corner"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act II, what does David remember about the time right before he became separated from his father?

2. Why does Margaret slap her son in Act III?

3. Margaret speaks of an old blind woman from her childhood in Act III. The woman used to greet everyone with "How you this Lord's-day morning" no matter what the day. Who is Margaret comparing the old blind woman to and why?

4. Margaret refuses to cancel her trip to Philadelphia even when it's obvious that Luke is ill. What is her reasoning?

5. Margaret compares the story of King Hezekiah's story to a possible situation of the congregation. What situation does she compare the biblical story to?

6. What gossip concerning David does Brother Boxer share with his wife and Sister Moore in Act I?

7. In Act I, who do we discover left in the Alexander marriage?

8. In Act I, what is the story from Margaret's sermon?

9. Why does Margaret say "God don't like liars" in Act I?

10. Why does Odessa lecture people in the church about the costs of operating a church in Act II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the first act, Margaret preaches on "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live." Discuss how her sermon foreshadows what is to come.

Essay Topic 2

In Act III, Margaret mentions carrying slops and scrubbing floors in asking "is that what I been slaving for all these long, hard years." Discuss the role of poverty in "The Amen Corner."

Essay Topic 3

The jazz music that Luke plays is viewed as sinful by Margaret and the church elders. When Margaret invites the Philadelphia church to their Harlem church, she tells church members that they will be bringing drums and a trumpet. These instruments, along with the piano that David plays in the church, are all prominent instruments in jazz. Compare and contrast jazz with the music in the church.

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