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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 Emily admit concerning Elisabeth?

2. With whom does Narcisse say Suzette can be placed?

3. Where had Joseph been during the days of slavery?

4. Who is Antoine Morat?

5. Where does Philomene live now?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Emily admit to Bet about Emily's feelings concerning Elisabeth?

3. What is the argument between Oreline and Philomene about who owes whom in Chapter 24?

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

5. What do the Union armies start doing, and what is Philomene's response?

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

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

8. In Chapter 31, what does narration say about Joseph's life so far?

9. How does Philomene feel about the lives of her family?

10. What do Narcisse, Antoine Morat and Joseph Ferrier who come to visit Joseph tell him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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