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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 aspect of Amma's carriage at the Ghanafoo celebration is ridiculed by other Ghanaians at the party?

2. Chapter 13 begins how far ahead of the Ghanafoo celebration?

3. During Amma's portrait-sitting, she asks Helena to tell her a story about a time when Helena was what?

4. Who helps Mary come up with an alter ego who will help her pretend that she loves her work and life?

5. Belinda tells a story about a man with what primary quality, making Amma distinctly uncomfortable?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of coping mechanism does Belinda herself long to use after she is "attacked" (80) with Amma's teddy bear?

2. What part of Amma's privilege frustrates her?

3. What contrast does Belinda see between Amma's appearance and her scent?

4. Describe Donkor's use of allusion within Chapter 9.

5. For what reason does Nana bring Belinda to a shopping district in London?

6. What does the kitchen sink symbolize in relation to Mary and Belinda's relationship?

7. What is the main source of Belinda's anxiety during the shopping trip on which Nana takes her?

8. What types of clues does Donkor provide to suggest that Mary might have endured trauma in her past?

9. What are the positive aspects that Belinda will miss about Mary?

10. What negative aspects of Mary's presence seem to affect Belinda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look carefully at the passages of Housegirl that describe the close relationship between Belinda and Mary. What is Donkor’s purpose for discussing at length the nature of the connection between Mary and Belinda? How does Mary’s death play into this purpose in both the prologue and final chapter of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about Housegirl while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

How is the topic of homophobia treated within Housegirl and how does its treatment relate to the novel's depicted messages?

(see the answer keys)

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