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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. Celestial states, "Human emotion is beyond comprehension, smooth and uninterrupted, like" what (138)?

2. What makes Big Roy's coffee have a "sweet tobacco-smoke aroma" (256)?

3. What did Andre call Roy's Ford Pinto?

4. What does Roy look for in the boxes of his belongings in Celestial's garage?

5. What did a man in prison stab Roy with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Celestial and her father differ on their views of marriage?

2. What is Roy's attitude when he first encounters Celestial in Atlanta in Part Two: "Prepare a Table for Me"?

3. How do Big Roy and Roy "trick" Andre in Part Two: "Prepare a Table for Me"?

4. Why did Olive and Big Roy never have more children?

5. How does Roy know Davina Hardrick? How do they meet again?

6. How does Roy describe his first experience in Brooklyn with Celestial?

7. What are the reasons that Roy has hope for a second chance with Celestial after his release?

8. How is Christmas Day described in Part Three: "Generosity"?

9. What is Andre's role in Olive's funeral? Why?

10. What does Celestial mean when she says that "Much of life is timing and circumstance" (138)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of fatherhood in An American Marriage. How does the author develop this theme through character? How is the theme developed through symbolism and setting? What does fatherhood mean to the characters in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

Outline and discuss the plot structure of An American Marriage. Where in the novel do the following occur: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement? How does the novel progress chronologically? Does the author make use of flashbacks or flash-forwards?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Big Roy and Walter Jenkins. What is each character's relationship like with Roy? How does each character feel about Roy and how does he express those feelings?

(see the answer keys)

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