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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. How does Deighton's mistress treat him?

2. Why is Silla not happy about Deighton's good news?

3. What does Deighton have when he finally arrives home after cashing the land sale check?

4. How does Selina feel when she realizes that her mother has not told her about the facts of life?

5. In Book 3, Chapter 1, what world event changes everyone's lives?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Selina's daydreams about Barbados differ from her mother's memories?

2. How is the issue of racism introduced in Book 1?

3. What is Selina's relationship with her mother like?

4. How do Deighton's actions support Silla's annoyances with him?

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

6. In Book 1, Chapter 3, why does Selina worry about her mother?

7. What event takes place in Book 3 that coincides with the beginning of World War II?

8. What is the main problem in Silla's and Deighton's marriage?

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

10. Why does Suggie drink rum and act so promiscuous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of sexuality appears often throughout the book. How does it relate to Selina's coming of age? Which elements or shifts does Selina experience in her understanding of sexuality as she is growing up? Give an overall time line of Selina's knowledge, and sum up her status by the end of book. Does she have a full understanding of sexuality? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Racism is one of the major themes in Brown Girl, Brownstones. Part 1: Discuss what you know about racism in the early 20th Century, and provide examples from the book that illustrate your points.

Part 2: Compare and contrast how Deighton, Silla, and Selina experience and react to racism.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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