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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. Who does Beloved say is the only person she needs to have?

2. What does Sethe say Paul D is not allowed to do?

3. What does Paul D think Beloved is doing to him?

4. How many of Baby Suggs' sons died?

5. What does Denver decide not to tell her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Paul question his manhood?

2. Why do you think the town is so angry at Sethe?

3. Why does Denver deny that she saw Beloved pick up a chair?

4. Why do you think Denver is so jealous of Paul D's presence?

5. How is it significant to the story that Sethe was not thrown into the sea unlike the other babies?

6. Why was Sethe so angry about the boys taking her milk?

7. Why do you think Mrs. Garner laughs at Sethe when she asks if she can have a proper wedding?

8. How has the ghost affected Sethe's life?

9. Why do you think Paul D says it is a bad idea for an ex-slave to love his children so much?

10. Do you think it is important that Sethe's scar resembles a tree?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book, Sethe tried to kill her children and succeeded in killing one. How do you think it has affected them? Can they remember?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Baby Suggs.

1) What is her importance to Sethe?

2) Why do some people not like her?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the historical setting of the novel.

1) What were the rights of the ex-slaves? Were their lives any better? What kind of jobs did they get?

2) Was slavery completely abolished at this time?

(see the answer keys)

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