So Long a Letter | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapters 1-3

1. Why does the narrator rush to the hospital and what does she find?

2. How does the narrator react to Modou's death?

3. What tradition surrounding her husband's death does the narrator dislike and why?

4. Discuss the ritual of taking down the hair.

5. What is the response to the taking down of the hair by each wife?

6. Describe the wake scene for Modou.

7. Describe the process of "making donations." How does the narrator feel about...
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