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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 crop does Cudjo say he plants only for the benefit of his twin great-granddaughters?

2. Who sells Cudjo to the white North American slavers?

3. How many fully biologically-related older siblings had Cudjo had?

4. Cudjo states that he has been "in Americky soil since" (19) what year?

5. The well from which Cudjo draws his water at his Alabama home lies between two rows of what type of crop?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the story Cudjo tells about a murderer in his African village, what penalty is enacted after the accused is found guilty?

2. What is the significance of the year 1859 in Cudjo's life?

3. What is Zora Neale Hurston's purpose for including a photograph of a doorway just prior to the Preface of Barracoon?

4. What reason does Cudjo give for having another visitor the first day Zora Neale Hurston comes to interview him at his home?

5. What major event happens within Cudjo's family in the story he tells at the start of Chapter III?

6. Cudjo discusses a particular practice undertaken by rich men's daughters in his former community in Africa. What is that practice he describes?

7. How old is Cudjo at the time he is first interviewed by Zora Neale Hurston and what special problems does his age pose to Hurston's process?

8. Describe the death rituals Cudjo describes as being followed within his former African community.

9. Explain the customs followed by the wives of a deceased man in Cudjo's former African community.

10. What does Cudjo say about secrecy within his former community in Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What ultimate message is Hurston's book Barracoon sending about the nature and value of compassion?

Essay Topic 2

What messages does Hurston's book Barracoon send to the audience about the themes of isolation and outreach?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of three of Barracoon’s main symbols. How do these symbols connect to the overall themes within the text?

(see the answer keys)

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