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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who leaves to look for David in Act II?

2. Who says, "You play piano like I dreamed you would" to David in Act II?

3. What instrument did Luke make a living playing?

4. How much was the offering for the pastor's trip to Philadelphia?

5. Why didn't David know much about his father's musical career?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

James Baldwin is noted for writing about African American issues during his lifetime. Although his characters in "The Amen Corner" are African American, the central theme is religion. During Act III, Margaret tells her son about "boys like you down home" and that "I seen them go down." She presents religion to her son as a way to escape this path. Do you believe Baldwin wrote about African American issues in this scene or others in "The Amen Corner"? Give examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The new refrigerator is mentioned throughout the play. In particular, Brother Boxer focuses on it, starting with "This ain't no icebox, this is a Frigidaire." What does the refrigerator symbolize?

Essay Topic 3

The jazz music that Luke plays is viewed as sinful by Margaret and the church elders. When Margaret invites the Philadelphia church to their Harlem church, she tells church members that they will be bringing drums and a trumpet. These instruments, along with the piano that David plays in the church, are all prominent instruments in jazz. Compare and contrast jazz with the music in the church.

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