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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. Where did Olive intend to go after finishing high school when she boarded a Greyhound bus?

2. Who took Celestial to have an abortion?

3. What does Uncle Banks describe as being what is considered "the worst of the South" in Part One: "Bridge Music" (86)?

4. By what name does Andre refer to the hickory tree between his and Celestial's houses growin up?

5. What gemstone is featured on the wedding ring that Roy gave Celestial?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Roy describe Walter when he first becomes his cell mate?

2. How does Roy respond to Celestial's "Dear John" letter?

3. What does Roy write to inform Celestial five years after he has been incarcerated?

4. What did Roy reveal to Celestial at the Piney Woods? How did she respond?

5. What does Celestial and Roy's unborn child represent symbolically?

6. How does Celestial respond to Andre's proposal?

7. What does Celestial reveal about her departure from Howard University via letter in Part One: "Bridge Music"?

8. Describe Celestial's "Dear John" letter. When does she send it?

9. Who is Sylvia? What role does she play in the narrative in Part One: "Bridge Music"?

10. Where is Roy from? How is this setting described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrative style of An American Marriage. Who are the narrators of this novel? Why is it important that these characters narrate the story? How would this story differ if it had been related from the perspective of a non-involved, third-person narrator?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Gloria and Olive in the novel. How are these mothers in the story similar? How are they different? Which character is the most empathetic? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the concepts of race and gender in An American Marriage. What similarities are seen in the women in this novel? What differences are seen? What is the importance of race in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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