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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 is the year at the opening to Chapter 2?

2. What does Suzette slip out to the slave quarters to give Palmire in Chapter 7?

3. What request does Oreline refuse that Suzette asks of her in Chapter 1?

4. What is Suzette about to do at the opening to Chapter 2?

5. What is Suzette's relationship to Palmire and Apphia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the overseer announce to Francoise one day?

2. What is Suzette's job in the household, and how does that affect her life?

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

4. With whom is Suzette enamored, but what is her mother's response to that?

5. Of whom does Eugene Daurat remind Suzette?

6. What does Suzette immediately do when Francoise dies?

7. Why does Francoise chastise Elisabeth in Chapter 1?

8. How does Elisabeth treat Suzette after Suzette gives birth to Gerant?

9. What does Suzette say about her relationship to Eugene?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Suzette at one point says that the only thing she got from Eugene was light-skinned children, and she sees this as a step toward a better life for her descendents than what she could otherwise give them.

Discuss the ways in which the system of slavery causes slaves to value lighter skin, especially in view of the fact that their oppressors are Caucasian. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

When Eugene rapes Suzette, she is a virgin. After he is finished, she realizes that her dress is bloodied. Suzette does not rush to the comforting arms of her mother to tell what's happened, but rushes to find a way to hide the evidence of the rape.

Discuss the consequences of slave owners raping their slaves and how such relationships affected both the slave and the owner. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Cane River help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Cane River? Why or why not. Use examples from Cane River and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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