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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. According to Bone, Glen smells of after-shave, cigarettes, Coca-Cola, and one more thing. What is that one thing?

2. What season of the year does Mama marry Glen?

3. What does Shannon Pearl talk about with Bone?

4. Why does Mama go to the courthouse on Bone's birthday each year?

5. What do the Waddell's call Bone and Reese?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the two things that people talk about when they talk about Glen? How are the two things alike?

2. Bone and her family begin moving frequently in Chapter 5, never staying in one place very long. Why is this?

3. Why does Bone begin looking at herself in mirrors?

4. What is the implied meaning of the word "established" when uttered by the court clerk?

5. What is Mama trying to accomplish when she punishes Bone for stealing? In your opinion, does it work?

6. Aunt Ruth asks Bone if they can talk to each other, meaning she wonders if can they tell each other the truth. Do they?

7. Why is it important to Bone not to scream when Glen is beating her in Chapter 17?

8. Who is Bone's favorite cousin and why?

9. Glen chooses different types of houses than the Boatwright aunts. Which type of house does Bone seem to prefer and why?

10. Mama's family doesn't like Glen and don't want him to marry Mama. What are their reasons, and do you agree?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bone suffers from abuse for years. At first, she doesn't realize she is being sexually abused because there is no penetration. However, her discomfort at Glen holding her close lets the reader understand what's happening. Explain the connection between the abuse and masturbation and violent fantasies.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Bone being illegitimate? Would it make any difference for any of the main characters if the state had not stamped that information on Bone's birth certificate? Explain the significance of Mama leaving Bone with the unstamped birth certificate as her parting gift.

Essay Topic 3

Read the quote by James Baldwin at the beginning of the book. Discuss in detail how this applies to "Bastard Out of Carolina."

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