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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. In time, the two become friends, and she tells him what story?

2. He represents the idea that Haitians must connect to what, while shedding their skin and recreating themselves as needed?

3. It is noted that what was removed at the same time?

4. She was born by cesarean section weighing a record ______ pounds.

5. When Karen decides to marry Papa Ogou, Alourdes tells her that she must also marry Papa Danbala. Why?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Aunt Emma represent? Why is this important?

2. What understanding does this chapter give us regarding Alourdes and her daughter?

3. What are Philo's plans for Alourdes, prior to her birth? How does this plan change?

4. What is learned about participating in the initiation rite?

5. Why do the initiates do the answer to number 55 in the cemetery?

6. What similarity exists between Marie Claire and Maggie?

7. Who is important in this chapter? Why is she important in comparison to Alourdes?

8. What is Alourdes' main role in Vodou? Describe her actions in this role. Why does she act this way?

9. What is learned about the choices made regarding the women in this culture?

10. Compare the focus on morality and sexuality in the Vodou culture as compared the many people in America? How do these differences affect many Americans' views of Vodou?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ezili represents the many facets of womankind.

Part 1) Who is Ezili? Describe the many forms of Ezili. Why is this significant in Haitian culture? What does it reveal about Haitian women?

Part 2) With which Ezili do you most relate? Why? Who in our own culture might represent the same type of woman as this Ezili?

Part 3) What women in our own culture best represent American women? Why? Are these the same women the American media promotes? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are many short, fictitious stories in this book.

Part 1) Describe two of these short stories. How is each important to the book? What do they each reveal about Haiti, Alourdes' family, and/or Vodou?

Part 2) How are these stories representatives of Haiti's oral tradition? Why is oral history so important to Alourdes' culture? How are the people of Haiti influenced by stories such as these?

Part 3) How is oral history important to other cultures around the world? How is it also a part of American culture? Why might fictitious stories be universal? Why are they created by humans?

Essay Topic 3

An oral tradition is strong in Hatian culture.

Part 1) Describe oral tradition. What constitutes an oral tradition? How is this strong in the Haitian culture? Why is it so strong in the Haitian culture? How is this tied to Vodou?

Part 2) How are oral traditions and histories important in other cultures? How do these cultures compare to the Haitian Vodou cultures? What do all cultures with strong oral traditions have in common? Why?

Part 3) How is oral history important in your own culture? Is it as important as it was in the past? Why or why not? How does increased literacy affect oral traditions?

(see the answer keys)

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