View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When do Alfa's trenchmates begin to really fear him?

2. Who does Alfa believe his thoughts belong to?

3. Who wrote, "We embraced each other by our names?"

4. How does Alfa always kill the enemy soldiers?

5. What does Captain Armand wish to know the location of in Chapter VIII from Alfa?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Alfa feel almost entirely responsible for Mademba's death?

2. What changes between Alfa and the rest of the soldiers after Jean-Baptiste's death?

3. What does Alfa do as a sign of honor for Mademba immediately after Mademba's death?

4. Why does Jean-Baptiste decide to goad the enemy into killing him?

5. What does Alfa suspect about Sack's translation to him from Captain Armand?

6. What was all Alfa could think about when he stayed with Mademba during Mademba's last hours?

7. What does Alfa say he becomes when he goes out to seek the vengeance on German's for Mademba's death?

8. What does Alfa really think about Captain Armand's praise for Black soldiers?

9. How does Alfa repeatedly refer to Mademba in the narration?

10. Why does Alfa think the mad are useful on the battlefield?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Alfa Ndiaye describe himself during his narration, and how does Alfa's view of himself change from before and after his best friend Mademba Diop's killing during battle? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What are Alfa's own feelings and beliefs regarding black magic and sorcery throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What are some of the barriers that would realistically prevent Alfa from ever being able to be with Fary Thiam for the long-term? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 624 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample