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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. How old is Suzette at the opening of Chapter 3?

2. To whom is Suzette nursemaid?

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

4. What would happen if Suzette and Nicholas marry?

5. Why does Oreline refuse Suzette's request in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Philomene feel about Narcisse's marriage?

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

5. Of whom does Eugene Daurat remind Suzette?

6. What does Suzette ask Oreline to do, and what is Oreline's response?

7. What do Garasime and Elisabeth say about the slave auction?

8. Why does Francoise arrange a marriage for Oreline?

9. What does Suzette immediately do when Francoise dies?

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

Often, authors will write about what they know, and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Lalita Tademy. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Tademy's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Tademy's probable agenda concerning that idea.

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