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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. Why is Philomene glad Narcisse has remarried?

2. What is one thing the slaves receive for Christmas in Chapter 3?

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

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

5. What does Narcisse seem indifferent about when Clement comes and talks to him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. What does Elisabeth urge Philomene to tell Clement?

5. What does Suzette say about her family after the slave auction?

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

7. What does Joseph Ferrier agree to do after Suzette talks to Oreline in Chapter 14?

8. Why does Francoise chastise Elisabeth in Chapter 1?

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

10. What does Suzette immediately do when Francoise dies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

On the day of her confirmation, Suzette seems to realize that her dreams are all for nothing without consent. She tells her mother that she wants a church wedding at St. Augustine when she marries. She then acknowledges that it doesn't matter what she wants and that her owners will make those decisions for her.

Discuss Suzette’s life with the implications of having no control over any aspect of her life. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Narcisse tells Philomene that she needs "a man who could protect her." Philomene is unimpressed with the argument, saying that the only thing she actually needs protection from is slavery and that Narcisse isn't going to do that.

What are some of the ways in which Narcisse does protect Philomene, and why do you think he never freed her? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Elisabeth says that she knows any one of them - or all of them - could be sold at the whim of their owners. It's around this time that Suzette realizes that the childhood days of companionship with the white children are gone.

What are the reasons Suzette will not be able to play with the white children any longer and how does that impact her life? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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