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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 does Francoise worry about concerning Oreline?

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

3. Why does Clement throw a chair out of the boat?

4. Who is Josephina?

5. What does Suzette say is all Eugene has done for her?

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 whom does Eugene Daurat remind Suzette?

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

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

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

7. Why does Suzette steal some eggs and take them to Palmire?

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

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

10. Why does Francoise arrange a marriage for Oreline?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than an action-driven plot, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven or action-driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Cane River is? Explain your response.

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