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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 happens to the speaker and Fern when they are together in the cornfield?

2. How is the swinging of the scythes described in "Reapers"?

3. During the boll weevil infestation, where was there no water?

4. After her first baby was born, how did the townspeople react towards Becky?

5. Where does the whistle mark the end of the day's shift?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might the author choose to use a dog as a metaphor for the soul in "Calling Jesus"?

2. What does Paul want from Bona?

3. How is the beehive described in "Beehive"?

4. According to the poem "Cotton Song," what must a man do in order to be judged kindly on Judgment Day?

5. Given the imagery in the poem "Portrait in Georgia", how might the author view the position of black Georgian residents?

6. Given the content of the poem "Conversion," how might the author feel about the process of conversion?

7. According to Helen, why are girls fascinated with Paul?

8. What does the fieldmouse represent in the poem, "Reapers"?

9. How is Becky treated after it is found that she is pregnant with a black man's child?

10. Why might the author have chosen to describe Cloine while sleeping in "Evening Song"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The plight of the Black male is examined extensively within the pages of "Cane". Using at least three characters, discuss how Toomer uses individuals' stories to look at the issue of what it means to be a Black man. How are these characters expected to act? Toward women? Toward work? Toward spirituality? How do the characters deal with these expectations?

Essay Topic 2

Much of "Cane" deals with race relations and the Black/white divide, but there are also many examples of segmentation within the Black community. Where do we see this happening in the book? Which characters experience being singled out or discriminated upon because of their skin tone? Who is doing this to them? How are their experiences similar/different?

Essay Topic 3

In "Cane," we see examples of both technology and nature. Where do we see both taking place? How are they portrayed? Does Toomer present one in a positive or negative light? Why might the comparison be made? Are they representative of anything?

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This section contains 743 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample