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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mrs. Ellsworth's immediate determination for Oceola?

2. What kind of image of Oceola's life did Oceola paint for Mrs. Ellsworth?

3. What did Mrs. Ellsworth decide to make her business in regards to Oceola?

4. Where does Oceola return after her long trip?

5. What is Oceola's apartment like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many themes and characters run through "The Blues I'm Playing." All provide important insight, but some may be more influential or significant than others. What character representation was the strongest and most significant in the story besides the two main characters of Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola? How do all the themes and characters come together in one message? What message did the author intend to give through this story?

Essay Topic 2

Oceola is another main character of "The Blues I'm Playing." Her complex character has different traits in comparison to Mrs. Ellsworth, though they share a passion for music. What is Oceola's personal background? How does her background affect her view on art? How has her background formed the person she is now? Make sure you answer each question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There are many themes that run through "The Blues I'm Playing," and one of them is irony. Mrs. Ellsworth tries hard to erase Oceola's tendency to improvise jazz music, thinking that this deters her from pure music. What is irony, and how does it play a role in this story? Explore the irony in the fact that Mrs. Ellsworth has many ideas on art but does not play it as well as the fact that Oceola does play, but Mrs. Ellsworth doesn't think she understands it. Make sure you use evidence from the story to support your answer and answer all questions.

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This section contains 360 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample