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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. Of what does Oreline seem afraid when talking to Philomene in Chapter 17?

2. What is one fact that Bet reminds Emily of about Narcisse?

3. Where is Billes General Store located?

4. How many children has Narcisse fathered over recent years?

5. What does Joseph ask Philomene to give him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emily do in Chapter 31 that seems to indicate her relationship with Joseph is serious?

2. What is the argument between Oreline and Philomene about who owes whom in Chapter 24?

3. In Chapter 31, what does Joseph request from Philomene concerning Emily?

4. In Chapter 31, what does narration say about Joseph's life so far?

5. What does Philomene name her daughter by Narcisse, and what does she say about the daughter?

6. Why does Narcisse begin to hoard money and food?

7. Why does Philomene send Bet to Joseph's store where Emily is working?

8. Describe Elisabeth's encounter with a census taker.

9. What do Narcisse, Antoine Morat and Joseph Ferrier who come to visit Joseph tell him?

10. In Chapter 27, what does Narcisse say Emily is to do concerning her education?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Suzette says that there's nothing a black woman can do except capitulate and will eventually come to compare her forced sexual encounters with Eugene with cleaning the outhouse - a horrible task that has to be completed in order to move on to the next task.

Discuss the problems the children of black slaves and white owners face that might be different from a black slave born of two slaves. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Narcisse tells Philomene that she needs "a man who could protect her." Philomene is unimpressed with the argument, saying that the only thing she actually needs protection from is slavery and that Narcisse isn't going to do that.

What are some of the ways in which Narcisse does protect Philomene, and why do you think he never freed her? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Emily takes a piece of advice from Bet, to stop and listen to what the older women of the family are saying in order to gain insight into their lives. It's advice that Emily will take seriously.

What do you think is the value of Emily listening to the older women about their lives? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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