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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 Elisabeth when the census is being taken?

2. With what mentality does Emily think the older women in her family live?

3. What does Philomene say Emily is doing with Narcisse when Emily is 10?

4. What is the white community grumbling about according to Narcisse, Antoine and Joseph Ferrier?

5. Of what does Narcisse say Emily will not be forgiven?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Angelite say about a young man who is interested in marrying her?

2. How do Ferrier's caregivers know he is close to dying of yellow fever in Chapter 17?

3. What does Narcisse tell Oreline has to be done after Ferrier's death concerning the slaves and what does she decide about Clement?

4. In Chapter 25, what does Yellow John say about Clement's fate?

5. Why does Narcisse begin to hoard money and food?

6. What does Philomene name her daughter by Narcisse, and what does she say about the daughter?

7. What is an example of how the traditional roles on Oreline's farm become skewed?

8. What does Philomene ask Narcisse to do concerning Emily?

9. In Chapter 27, what does Narcisse say Emily is to do concerning her education?

10. In Chapter 19, what does Elisabeth say about Philomene's visions, and how does Philomene plan to use them on Narcisse?

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

Suzette says that there's nothing a black woman can do except capitulate and will eventually come to compare her forced sexual encounters with Eugene with cleaning the outhouse - a horrible task that has to be completed in order to move on to the next task.

Discuss the problems the children of black slaves and white owners face that might be different from a black slave born of two slaves. Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Emily takes a piece of advice from Bet, to stop and listen to what the older women of the family are saying in order to gain insight into their lives. It's advice that Emily will take seriously.

What do you think is the value of Emily listening to the older women about their lives? Use examples from Cane River to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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