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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 can't a prisoner do, no matter what?

2. Who is John?

3. What is "Brothers and Keepers" centered on?

4. How does John characterize his feeling about his brother?

5. Why doesn't Jamila tell her friends about Robby?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Robby characterize himself as a young man?

2. Why does John say it might have been a mistake to bring Robby home with him?

3. Who is Garth, and what was his importance in Robby's life?

4. Describe John's visit with Robby.

5. How does John characterize Robby's temperament?

6. How does John say he and his family act when they get to the penitentiary?

7. What does John say the prisoners notice?

8. Describe the geography of "Brothers and Keepers".

9. How does John say he and his family are treated at the penitentiary?

10. Where does John say Robby has a place in Jamila's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of family in the relationship between John and Robby? Who else participates in their relationship, and who is instrumental in keeping their relationship going? How is John's solo visit to see Robby different from his visits with Judy and Jamila?

Essay Topic 2

What is John's relationship with his blackness? When does he feel most black? When does he feel least black? What does his experience tell us about being black in America? How is his relationship with his blackness different from Robby's?

Essay Topic 3

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? What life experiences has he had? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

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