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. Upon her eviction, which of the following does Suggie give to Selina?

2. Whom of the following does Father Peace call to sit by him when Selina first visits him?

3. Who does Selina call for assistance in finding a job at the end of the book?

4. What do Miss Mary and Silla have in common?

5. In Book 4, Chapter 6, how does Selina feel when Clive leaves to pick up his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Selina call her mother "Hitler"?

2. Why is Silla upset with Deighton's adoration of Father Peace?

3. What is significant about Selina's call to Rachel Fine for help in finding a job?

4. What does Clive's relationship with his mother teach Selina about her own relationship with her mother?

5. Why does Selina finally leave Clive?

6. Why does Selina go to her first Association meeting?

7. Why does Miss Thompson tell Selina the story of how her foot became ulcerated?

8. How does Selina surprise herself when she meets Clive?

9. By Book 4, Chapter 4, Selina is growing up and going to college. What else is different in her life?

10. Why does Selina seclude herself and refuse to go out following her father's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Selina with that of Antigone - the main character in the Greek tragedy by Sophocles. What is the author's purpose in using such allusion?

Essay Topic 3

Think about the friendship theme in the book. Who are Selina's friends? Were some better friends than others? Who can Selina count on the most? Who will never give up on her? In the end, who acts in the purest, friendliest way toward her?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 732 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample