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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. Who did the male narrator leave behind in Haiti?

2. Who said, "If you see me again, I'll be so dark?"

3. What does the male narrator have with him besides the notebook?

4. Why won't Celianne let go of her baby?

5. Where are the people on the boat from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What obstacle must the female narrator's family overcome before they can leave the city? How do they fix this? How does this blur the lines of good/evil and friends/enemies in the narrative?

2. Describe the background between Manman and the narrator's father. How does this mirror his expectations for his daughter?

3. What is the male narrator's last memory of his mother? How do you think this affects him?

4. How do the passengers spend time on the boat?

5. What happened to Celianne? Why is she leaving Haiti?

6. What does the male narrator say about religion? What are his beliefs, if any?

7. From the female narrator's words only, what do we know about the political situation in Haiti? What is happening to them daily? What institutions are closed?

8. Describe Celianne.

9. Describe the Banyan tree. Why is it important?

10. How does the soldiers' visit to Madan Roger's house lead to her death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Think about Madan Roger. What is significant about her? What does she represent in the story? Be sure to use examples.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think the banyan tree symbolizes in the story? When does it appear? Who sits under it? What does the narrator say her mother told her about banyan trees? What impact do you think it has on the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

"This heaven was nothing like I expected. It was at the bottom of the sea. There were starfishes and mermaids all around me. The mermaids were dancing and singing in Latin like the priests do at the cathedral during Mass. You were there with me too, at the bottom of the sea. You were with your family, off to the side. Your father was acting like her was better than everyone else and he was standing in front of the sea cave blocking you from my view. I tried to talk to you, but every time I opened my mouth, water bubbles came out. No sounds."

Consider the narrator's dream. What do you think it means? Pay attention to symbolism, foreshadowing, and imagery.

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