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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 are Marie and Rushes Bear "related" by the end of the story?

2. King's exchange with his wife Lynette suggests what?

3. Why is Albertine angry at Lipsha when she tries to break up King and Lynette's fight?

4. Nector compares himself to Ishmael from Moby Dick because:

5. Rushes Bear disowns Nector after the birth of his child because:

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Beverly's blurred tattoos and weakened muscles suggest about him? What does the bird's continued flight suggest?

2. Describe Lulu from Beverly's perspective.

3. Why did the author have Zelda find the letter from Nector rather than Marie?

4. Describe the character of Sister Mary Martin de Porres.

5. Consider the chapter title "The Bridge." Explain the meaning you derive from this title.

6. What effect does the third person limited point of view have on the reader's understanding of characters in the chapter entitled "Lulu's Boys?"

7. What is Lulu's attitude toward men?

8. Choose three examples of sensory detail from the chapter and describe their uses.

9. Describe the character of Gerry Nanapush.

10. Explain the symbol of the weigh station.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the motif of water in Erdrich's novel. Choose three stories in which the motif of water features prominently, then connect each of these to a theme you've identified in Erdrich's work. What is the theme you have identified, and how does the motif of water support, showcase, or develop the theme?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the evidence of pride in the novel. Defend, refute, or qualify the notion that pride is one of the primary vices using at least three examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the concept of family in Love Medicine. Using characters from the novel as examples, identify the author's definition of family and write an essay clarifying this definition.

(see the answer keys)

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