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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. In Chapter 10, who does Philomene glimpse as missing from the family in the future?

2. What does Clement lose sight of when he gets to shore?

3. Who are Thany and Bet?

4. What does Eugene do with some property he and Doralise shared?

5. What does Francoise worry about concerning Oreline?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Suzette immediately do when Francoise dies?

2. Of what is Philomene aware concerning her emerging womanhood?

3. What does Suzette ask Doralise concerning Gerant, and what is Doralise's reply?

4. What do the slaves receive for Christmas?

5. Why does Francoise arrange a marriage for Oreline?

6. What does Elisabeth urge Philomene to tell Clement?

7. Who is Suzette's father, and what does he do?

8. What remark does Suzette make concerning Doralise's relationship with Eugene?

9. What does Philomene say to Clement in Chapter 12 when he tells her he traveled by boat to visit her?

10. What does Philomene say about her own light skin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elisabeth urges Philomene to take what happiness she can find in life.

In what ways do the slaves find happiness in the system which controls and abuses them? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Cane River belongs to the historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the historical fiction genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to a novel? What do you think is the difference between a historical fiction and a science fiction novel or a mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Suzette says that there's nothing a black woman can do except capitulate and will eventually come to compare her forced sexual encounters with Eugene with cleaning the outhouse - a horrible task that has to be completed in order to move on to the next task.

Discuss the problems the children of black slaves and white owners face that might be different from a black slave born of two slaves. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 655 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample