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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 kind of gemstone is featured in the engagement ring that Andre offered to Celestial?

2. What does Walter give Roy instead of money, according to Roy's letter to Celestial in Part One: "Bridge Music"?

3. What does Andre say is something that he and "any of us" never doubted in Part Two: "Prepare a Table for Me" (96)?

4. When Olive develops lung cancer, how long has it been since she has touched a cigarette?

5. When Celestial began making sock dolls, they were donated to what hospital to comfort crack babies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the inciting event in An American Marriage?

2. Why does Roy write to "Mr. D" in Part One: "Bridge Music"?

3. How does Andre describe his feelings for Celestial in high school?

4. What happened on Roy and Celestial's first anniversary?

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

6. How does Andre justify his relationship with Celestial in his first monologue in Part Two: "Prepare a Table for Me"?

7. What does an epistolary novel refer to? What are the benefits of epistolary style?

8. How do Andre and Celestial feel about Roy's impending release when they learn of it?

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

10. How does Roy describe Celestial's art? What does she create?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the character of Celestial in An American Marriage. What does Celestial do for a living? Where was she educated? For how long is she married to Roy before Roy's arrest? How does Celestial's character evolve in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character or Andre in An American Marriage. For how long has Andre known Celestial and Roy? Where did Andre study and what does he do? What characteristics set Andre apart in this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the epistolary style employed in An American Marriage. Why does the author switch from direct-address narrative to letters? What information does the reader learn from these letters? How do the use of letters help illustrate the characters' circumstances?

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