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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 does Silla think about Father Peace?

2. What does Selina feel that she can do at the end of the book?

3. Which of the following is Selina singled out to be at the dance recital?

4. What does Mrs. Benton say about Selina?

5. When Selina and her father leave the place where Father Peace gathers his followers, to whom are they compared by the narrator?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What kind of symbolism is embedded in Selina's new job?

3. How does Father Peace upset Selina rather than make her feel welcome?

4. What does Selina think about Ina making her engagement announcement in a less than excited way?

5. Why does Clive warn Selina against joining the Modern Dance Club?

6. In Book 3, Chapter 8, why does Selina ask Deighton to take her to see Father Peace?

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

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

9. Does Selina's experience with the Modern Dance Club reinforce Clive's belief that the White people who belong to it are racists?

10. How does Selina know that her father is truly lost to her family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Selina's coming of age story to any other literary coming of age story that you have studied. What do coming of age stories have in common? What differences can you reflect upon? Why are coming of age stories important in our literary world?

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

How do various aspects of the setting impact Selina's story? The response might include the year, world events, social, and class expectations - Brooklyn in the 1940's, cultural beliefs, etc. Use evidence from the book to support your points.

(see the answer keys)

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