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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. Coleman tells the news that he is going to marry a white women to whom?

2. Coleman Silk was a professor of _________ and Latin at the college.

3. What did Coleman suffer quite often when he was young because of his name and to what it could refer?

4. What does Faunia still have because she does not know what to do with them?

5. What does Coleman realize when he is trying to write his own story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Doc Chizner tell Coleman not to tell the Pitt coach when he is applying for a scholarship?

2. What happened during the course of the investigation into Coleman Silk's accusations?

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

4. How does Coleman reveal his family secret to the woman he loves while he's in college?

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

6. Why were Iris' parents never officially married, though they conceived and raised Iris as their daughter?

7. What does Ellie do when Coleman reveals to her his racial background?

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

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

10. What does Coleman Silk confess to his neighbor when he is 71 years of age?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It's interesting that the story includes a modern day reference to the Bill Clinton scandal, as it mirrors other events in the story as well.

Part 1: Why do you think the author decided to include the reference to the Bill Clinton scandal?

Part 2: Do you think Clinton's situation and Coleman's situation are similar? Why or why not?

Part 3: What do you think the novel has to say about affairs between older men and younger women?

Essay Topic 2

When Coleman decides not to talk about his heritage in the face of his accusation, he is doing himself a disservice.

Part 1: What might have happened to Coleman had he actually stood up for himself during the accusations?

Part 2: Is it possible Coleman was trying to punish himself in some way for his lying? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that Coleman wanted to destroy his life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When Faunia goes to visit the crow, she sees many similarities in the crow and her situation.

Part 1: Why does Faunia go back to visit the crow again and again?

Part 2: Why do you think that Faunia tries to give her opal ring to the crow?

Part 3: Do you think the crow is a symbol for Coleman? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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