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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 old is the woman that Coleman Silk is seeing after his wife's death?

2. How does Coleman Silk enlist when he signs up for the military branch he does?

3. Coleman is a __________ skinned Jew, according to his own description.

4. What did Coleman Silk do first as a boy when he went to Newark Boys Club in his neighborhood?

5. Who began molesting Faunia after her mother got remarried?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the nice letter that Coleman found in his personal belongings say?

2. What is the problem with Nathan's health which has changed him forever?

3. What is the current and past status of Coleman Silk's employment in this novel?

4. What is Coleman's religious background and why is this an important detail to note?

5. How does Coleman reveal to Iris his racial background when they are getting married?

6. What does Coleman do after his father dies when he is a student at Howard?

7. Describe Iris' health on the day that she died, according to the book's description.

8. Why does Coleman go to the lawyer the next day after seeing Farley?

9. What makes Iris a strong woman, according to the descriptions in the book?

10. What happened to cause Coleman Silk to have to seek retirement from his job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of secrets is pervasive in this story. It seems that everyone has something to hide.

Part 1: Would Faunia's life have been better had she not hidden her literacy? Why or why not?

Part 2: Would Lester's life have been better had he not hidden himself in Vietnam? Why or why not?

Part 3: Would Nathan's life have been better had he not hidden his sexual dysfunction? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Race is a large part of this story, even when it isn't directly discussed. But race becomes the motivating force behind many decisions.

Part 1: How is race defined within this story by its characters?

Part 2: Is race only a matter of the color of one's skin? Why or why not?

Part 3: If you could change the way you look to others, would you? Would you present yourself as a different race? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The war seems to have done quite a number of Les when he is described in this book.

Part 1: Why do you think war veterans can have so many mental disorders when they come back home?

Part 2: Do you think that Les could ever be rehabilitated?

Part 3: How do you think Les has changed from before he went to war?

(see the answer keys)

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