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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. How is the reader made aware that Pa eventually gets very close to the Indians?

2. Which of the following would be the best alternate title for Chapter 3?

3. How does the author reveal that the policeman might be wrong to put the driver of the black car in jail?

4. Who does Granpa ask about the law that made him angry?

5. Which character comes to visit the family in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the story about 'Coon Jack' and explain Granpa's reason for telling it to Little Tree.

2. In Chapter 3, what does the author reveal about Granpa's views on politicians and authority figures?

3. How does the author describe the Cherokee response to their oppression along the Trail of Tears?

4. What does the introduction of Pine Billy add to the story?

5. How does the beginning of Chapter 10 contrast with the ending of the incident in which Little Tree protects the whiskey still from the outsiders?

6. What detailed explanation of "The Way" does Granpa's give Little Tree when the hawk, Tal-con kills a quail?

7. According to Chapter 6, why is it important for Little Tree to know the past?

8. Comment on the title of Chapter 10.

9. What is the importance of the boot moccasins that Granma makes for Little Tree?

10. What is the importance of revealing that Granma and Granpa have friends and visitors like Pine Billy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An outstanding feature of this story is the author's ability to provide vivid descriptions that help to promote the Cherokee respect for, and love of nature. Provide detailed references to at least three different settings in the novel, and use them to demonstrate the validity of this assertion.

Essay Topic 2

Among the important themes explored in this novel are exclusion and prejudice. Discuss the characters, circumstances and relationships through which the themes of exclusion and prejudice are explored in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

In the introduction to the re-issuing of "The Education of Little Tree", the University of New Mexico Press includes the following statement: 'Little Tree is one of those rare books like Huck Finn that each new generation needs to discover and which needs to be read and reread regularly...a fine and sustaining book, wonderfully funny and deeply poignant'.

With special reference to this statement and using detailed references to the text, write a critical analysis of the novel.

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