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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. According to Bessie in "African religions," what is at the root and foundation of African religion?

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

3. What was Bessie suffering from when she was trying to forge a friendship with the American woman?

4. By the 1830's, most of the tribes of South Africa were what?

5. What is a "bogadi," in African culture?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bessie describe the world that a black South African is born into?

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

3. In "Notes on Novels," why is Bessie having difficulty writing about her years in South Africa?

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

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

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

7. In "African Religions," what, does Bessie state is the main difference between Asian and African religious ideals?

8. Why was Bessie able to write in Botswana rather than South Africa?

9. What was Bessie's first experience of racism in a black form?

10. How are Bessie and the American woman different?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

While Bessie is a true supporter of the black Africans, she can also be highly critical of them. Their lack of initiative in trying to better their situation is a common frustration to Bessie. List three examples that illustrate Bessie's frustration with perceived "passivity" of other black Africans. Bessie admits that she prefers to be on the sidelines when writing. Do you think that it's fair for Bessie to judge others from the sidelines instead of getting actively involved herself?

Essay Topic 3

In "Preface to witchcraft," Bessie states that while living in South Africa she lived with a shattering sense of anxiety. Do you think that some anxiety remained even after her move to Botswana? Do you feel a sense of this in her writings? Is the format of "A Woman Alone" a reflection of an anxious person? Does the constant "skipping around" from one to piece to another, one subject to another, speak of an anxious brain? Do you perceive a lack of finishing one thing before starting another? Or, do you think the format is intentional and simply reflects Bessie's individual style?

(see the answer keys)

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