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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. Why do the soldiers in Alfa's unit laugh when he sings?

2. What earns Alfa his solitude in war in Chapter VII?

3. What does Alfa do when a retreat is called, in the wake of Mademba's death?

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

5. What is another word Alfa thinks people now think of him as, in the wake of Mademba's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What phrase does Alfa Ndiaye begin repeating immediately in Part I?

3. What does Alfa begin to understand that his fellow soldiers think he is?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What is the cultural attitude from Alfa's culture towards the symbol of a totem?

10. Why does Alfa receive the Croix de Guerre, a medal of honor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alfa feels that his white commanders in the army want him to act the part of the savage, but only when and if it is convenient to them. Write an essay explaining Alfa's feelings about his commanders' perceptions of him as a "savage," citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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