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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 is Mikey's initial reaction to hearing that he is the product of a rape?

2. Which part of his mother did Mikey find most attractive when he was a child?

3. How old was Mikey when he found out that Kate was a lesbian?

4. Where does Lydia hide her diary?

5. Where was Silas being held during Du Boise's encounter with Lydia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What unusual event happens when Silas is at the grocery store at the opening of the novel?

2. How does Silas react to the news that Du Boise is back in town?

3. How does Mikey come to find himself in possession of his mother's diary?

4. What event does Lydia admit to Silas when she hears that Du Boise is back in town?

5. What family arrives at Lydia's hospital bedside, and how do they get there?

6. What is "Playing Gandhi"?

7. What is Mikey's reaction to reading that he is the product of a rape in his mother's diary?

8. How does Mikey feel about reading his mother's diary?

9. How did Mikey come to contact his sister after she was sent away?

10. Why does Silas phone Alec, and what is he suddenly suspicious of him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Vinu provides an interesting foil for the drama that Michael is enduring. Briefly describe Vinu's character and explain why Michael is so interested in her story of abuse. Then, explain how Michael exploits Vinu's personal history to promote his own agenda in the political world.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the second half of the text, Mikey is performing a "separation" of his own, getting rid of all the men he believes deserve to die in South Africa. Explain what criteria Mikey uses in selecting his murder victims, and then explain how each of the murders shapes Mikey as he matures into manhood.

Essay Topic 3

The novel is entitled "Bitter Fruit" and the cover depicts a split-open pomegranate spilling its seeds or two pomegranates that are red below and green at the top depending on the edition. These elements provide rich symbolism for the story of the Ali family as a whole. Briefly describe what symbolism is held in the title of this novel, and explain how the state of the pomegranate can symbolize the plight of the Ali family throughout the text.

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