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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 does Philomene communicate with Gerant in Chapter 9?

2. What is Narcisse's body build?

3. How does Palmire communicate?

4. Who is Joseph Ferrier?

5. Who does Madame Derbanne chastise at the beginning of the book?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Francoise arrange a marriage for Oreline?

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

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

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

8. Of whom does Eugene Daurat remind Suzette?

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

10. What does Suzette pretend regarding Francoise, but what are Suzette's real feelings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

Do you think most people want a happy ending in a novel? Do you think Cane River would qualify as a novel with a happy ending? Why or why not? What do you think are three reasons to read fiction and do you think Cane River fulfills these three reasons? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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