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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. For one year after a woman's husband dies, she is forbidden to take what action?

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

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

4. What gift does Hurston give to Cudjo during the visit when Cudjo tells her about his father?

5. How long after a woman's husband dies is she allowed to wed, according to Cudjo when talking about his former community in Africa?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Cudjo's reaction when Hurston calls him Kossula?

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

3. In the Preface, Hurston states her reasons for faithfully representing Cudjo's story "without the intrusion of interpretation" (3). What does she mean?

4. After Cudjo tells Hurston about his grandfather, what happens to make Hurston cut their visit short for the day?

5. What is the significance of Cudjo's reaction when Hurston tells him to focus on his own story rather than on his grandfather's story?

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

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

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

10. What are the circumstances of Zora Neale Hurston first meeting with Cudjo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Zora Neale Hurston go about breaking the text of Barracoon into parts and how do these structural elements help to advance the goals of the text?

Essay Topic 2

How do Cudjo and Zora Neale Hurston use sensory details in order to paint a vivid portrait of anecdotes and details outlined within the narrative of Barracoon? Discuss at least two scenes that include use of sensory details and pull quotes from these scenes to support your claim.

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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