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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. What is everyone said to know about John's nature?

2. What is Wamuhu's mother "preoccupied" (62) with when her husband asks her why she thinks John came?

3. What does John want to yell at his village as he walks alone in the beginning of "Meeting in the Dark"?

4. What does John call the old woman who passes him and asks how he is doing?

5. What does Wamuhu's mother tell John Wamuhu will do when she gets back to the hut if he waits?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John's interaction with the old woman carrying a large load of Kuni he meets on his walk through the village?

2. In what ways is John said to be different than other educated boys who return to the village?

3. What does John's mother tell John when he returns to the hut after returning from the tea shop and why does this worry John?

4. What does Wamuhu's father say after John leaves and his wife seems hopeful that John likes their daughter?

5. What does John do as he prepares to leave his hut without telling his parents?

6. What is Stanley's position on his son spending time with other girls?

7. Where is Wamuhu when John arrives at her hut? How does his mother behave toward John?

8. How does John feel about his village as he walks alone just after leaving his parent's hut?

9. What happens at the tea shop John goes to during his walk alone in the village and why?

10. How does John feel about the men and women he passes in the village as he walks alone to Wamuhu's hut?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting John and Wamuhu in "Meeting in the Dark." What details help develop their character and what do these details tell you about them? What is their background? Describe their relationship, beliefs, and interactions. In what ways are they similar or different? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Thiong'o's commentary on religion in "Meeting in the Dark." How is religion important to the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of "Meeting in the Dark." In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 740 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample