View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Selina decide to do about her mother's plan to sell her father's land?

2. In what part of New York does the Boyce family live?

3. How does Silla react to Deighton's return following his trip to the bank to cash the check?

4. What does Selina think that her mother wishes that she were?

5. Why does Selina think that babies are born by cutting the mother's stomach open?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book 1, why does Selina not want to wear the second-hand clothes that Silla has brought home?

2. Why do you think that Deighton is seeking out a mistress?

3. In Book 1, Chapter 3, why is Maritze so annoyed with Suggie's romantic adventures?

4. Why is Selina uncomfortable in Book 2 when she sees the couple making out in the park ?

5. Miss Thompson's roommate has three little girls, but it is Miss Thompson who cares for them. Why is that?

6. In Book 3, Chapters 1-4, what does Florrie do to Selina that shocks her so much? And why does she do it?

7. What wish does Selina make on her 15th birthday; and why does she regret it?

8. How do the clothes that Selina, Silla, and Ina wear to the wedding of 'Gupta Steed's daughter reflect their positions in the family?

9. In Book 2, Beryl thinks that babies just pop out easily. What misinformation does she have about menstruation?

10. Beryl's father asks Selina about her own father, and then tells her that he is a disgrace. Why does that upset Selina so much?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the Greek myth of Iphigenia relate to this novel? What does Selina think about her future that is similar to that of Iphigenia? Does Selina's future turn out like that of Iphigenia; or does it turn out in a different way? Why does the author include that reference?

Essay Topic 2

Family relationships are important to Selina, and all the characters in Brown Girl, Brownstones. Some relationships are better than others. Some seem one-sided. Each relationship affects Selina and her ultimate view of the world. Analyze the complex familial relationships that exist between: 1) Deighton and Silla; 2) Deighton and Selina; 3) Silla and Selina; and 4) Ina and Selina.

Essay Topic 3

Literary critics and scholars differ in their views of whether an author's own life should be considered in the study of a piece of literature. What are your views on this question given what you know about Paule Marshall's life and the story she depicts in Brown Girl, Brownstones? Do you think that her own life is relevant? Or not? Can the book be appreciated for its own merits even if you are not familiar with any aspect of the author's life? Does knowing something about her life increase your understanding of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 868 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample