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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. Why does Esi feel rejected?

2. What does Opokuya ask of Esi?

3. About what does Esi laugh concerning the African male?

4. Why would Esi's mother have thought it alright for Oko to take another wife?

5. What does Esi say her mother thinks concerning marrying Ali?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ali propose to Esi and what is her response?

2. How does Esi being there help Opokuya out of a dilemma and what does every advise Esi to do?

3. What does the conversation between Ama and Aba concern at the opening to the second part of Changes?

4. Why is Opokuya feeling sorry for herself and what can she do about it?

5. How does Esi finally make a break with Ali near the end of their third year of marriage?

6. What does Esi's father ask Ali concerning his intentions to marry Esi, and what is Ali's response?

7. What does Ali decide to do to assuage his guilt, but how does that only increase his guilt and Esi's shame?

8. What does Ali buy Esi and what is her reaction?

9. How is Esi feeling after a year of marriage to Ali?

10. What happens that makes Fusena give her consent to Ali marrying Esi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to Changes: A Love Story:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Esi and Opokuya. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either woman's beliefs more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Oko and Ali. How are they similar? How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Certainly Changes: A Love Story deals with the subject of gender. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "gender."

2. Does gender only refer to whether a person is male or female? Is gender easy to identify?

3. Discuss the Ghanaian cultural definitions of gender during the time of Changes: A Love Story and the expectations for each gender. Do any of those expectations exist today?

4. Are women the only ones harmed by gender-based expectations? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Over the past several hundred years, many emigrants have moved to the United States seeking relief from oppressive governments or oppressive cultural mores. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Esi or few females from Ghana move away (besides economics).

2. Discuss some of the things that would drive you to leave your home country to move to a new country and different culture.

3. If there is nothing that would make you leave your home country, discuss what about your country makes you want to live there for your entire life.

4. If you lived in a strongly patriarchal country, would you want to move to a different country? Discuss in relation to Changes: A Love Story.

(see the answer keys)

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