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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 member of Oceola's family died before they moved again?

2. What is Mrs. Ellsworth's marital status?

3. What does Mrs. Ellsworth think of Oceola's piano playing during their first meeting?

4. Who boarded with Oceola when she lived on her own?

5. What does Oceola do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Ellsworth try to get Oceola to do after she finds out information about the boarder?

2. Describe Oceola Jones.

3. What information startles Mrs. Ellsworth during Oceola's personal narration of her life?

4. How did Oceola manage to attend college?

5. What did Oceola's parents do for a living?

6. What does Mrs. Ellsworth want Oceola to do in the beginning of the story?

7. What does Mrs. Ellsworth think that Oceola needs to do in order to realize her potential?

8. What does Mrs. Ellsworth do that is considered inappropriate behavior during her first meeting with Oceola?

9. What does Mrs. Ellsworth say to Oceola concerning Pete at the end of "The Blues I'm Playing"?

10. What does Mrs. Ellsworth find fascinating during her time with Oceola in Section 2 of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Ellsworth is one of the main characters of "The Blues I'm Playing." Describe her background and explore how her passion for art may be related to her background. Why does Mrs. Ellsworth spend so much of her time and resources? Why has she lost interest in her own life? Make sure you answer each question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Harlem causes tension in the artist/patron relationship between Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola. Both characters attach certain meanings to the places they prefer. Mrs. Ellsworth tries many different things to fix this problem, but she does not ever fully succeed in her efforts. Why does Mrs. Ellsworth dislike Oceola's residence in Harlem? How does Mrs. Ellsworth try to remove Oceola from Harlem, and how does Oceola respond to these actions? Make sure you answer each part of the question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism is a device used in many literary pieces, including "The Blues I'm Playing." What symbols are in the story, and what do they mean? Which characters are associated with certain symbols? What do Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola symbolize? Make sure you answer each question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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