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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. Bessie feels that literature in South Africa is very what?

2. In "Notes on novels," how is pre-colonial invasion South Africa described?

3. What, does Bessie feel that exploitation and evil are dependent on?

4. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie state is responsible for the elimination of polygamy in Botswana?

5. How many years did Bessie live in South Africa?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the conclusion of Chapter 2, how does Bessie summarize her life experiences?

2. Why does Bessie consider Botswana the "most unique and distinguished country in Africa"?

3. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie think that the spirit of the Nigra Goddess has done for the blacks in America?

4. In "African Religions," what does Bessie state is at the root of religion in Africa?

5. How is Bessie's hatred of the white man lessened in Chapter 2?

6. In "A Note on Rain Clouds," what does Bessie state is thwarting young, idealistic, black men and their ideals?

7. Why according to Bessie has Botswana survived by "sheer luck and unexpected good fortune"?

8. In "Despite Broken Bondage . . .," how were women treated in Africa before independence?

9. In "Makeba Music," how does Bessie describe the musician, Makeba?

10. In Chapter 2, why is the friendship between Bessie and the American woman painful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bessie thinks that friendship is very important in South Africa. What kind of country is South Africa, according to her? What do you find yourself doing if you have friends? What are you left alone to face if your friends flee the country? What do friends allow you to do that Bessie feels is essential to not becoming passive? Describe the good friend that Bessie had in South Africa and what effect his fleeing the country had on her.

Essay Topic 2

The artist, Gladys Mgudlandlu, was extremely popular in South Africa because of her escapism theory. Why does Bessie refer to her as "the exuberant innocent"? Does she think of her and her escapism theory as naïve? Does she see it as not wanting to deal with real issues? Do you think Bessie thought it was wrong of her to encourage the black South Africans to just "sit back and let God deal with it"? Was this just offering them a good excuse to do nothing about their situation? If there was no oppression, do you think that this artist would have been as popular?

Essay Topic 3

Bessie's friend, Snowball, had a difficult time living in District Six in Capetown. What was Snowball's general demeanor? Even though he was devoutly religious, what did he believe could live together in chaotic happiness? How was Snowball treated by the landlady and most of the community? Could they see beyond the fact that he had once been a professional thief and served jail time? Was this fair to him? What kind of humbling lesson did Snowball teach Bessie? What did she learn about herself and her attitude toward religion? Why did Bessie finally give up trying to protect Snowball? Do you think that Snowball left a lasting impression on Bessie?

(see the answer keys)

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