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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Laura give Buddy for his birthday?

2. What does Marietta do at the church?

3. Who is the woman that Laura calls a "bitch"?

4. What rumor is going around about Buddy?

5. Why does Laura threaten Buddy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to much symbolism in this novel, there are also a number of metaphors. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Define metaphor and symbolism and compare the two using specific examples both from the book and other sources. Which do you feel is more effective? Which seems better at expressing the idea of an abstract concept? Why would you use one over the other--give specific examples.

2. For what do you think the mural of the Garden of Eden that is described in chapter 11 is a metaphor? Explain using specific examples. Does the metaphor work for you?

3. Write a real or hypothetical situation in your personal experience that includes one or more abstract concepts and then create a metaphor to express that experience. Next, choose a way to use symbolism in the telling of the experience. Which way seems more effective at portraying the experience?

Essay Topic 2

Money plays a large role in the choices the major characters make. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Go through and cite at least six places where money is discussed. Briefly state the situation, who is involved and the decisions made.

2. Some people say that "money is the root of all evil" and others say that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Which saying do you think is applicable in this book? Why? Give examples.

3. Can money also be the root of much that is good? Give examples in the book where that idea seems true.

4. What are your conclusions about the role money plays in this book?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the imagery in this book is religious in origin; none more so than the Garden of Eden imagery. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research the story of the Garden of Eden and give a very brief synopsis and interpretation of the story as told in Genesis.

2. Go through the book and cite all the images that are related to the Garden of Eden. Explain what the image is; how it is related to the Garden of Eden; and any symbolism it may represent.

3. Several characters at various times play the role of the serpent or "tempter." Find several instances when a character is fulfilling the role of tempter (or temptress) and discuss what is happening, why, and the resolution.

4. How does the ending of the book offer two different versions for the Garden of Eden? (i.e. one character is thrown out of the Garden, the other chooses to continue to cultivate the garden to create an even lovelier paradise). Was this ending inevitable? Where could things have changed for Laura so that she could have remained in the Garden?

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