View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Cèlianne wake up screaming the first time?

2. What does the first narrator do when Celianne goes into labor?

3. What religion does the first narrator belong to?

4. What does the first narrator write of the sea?

5. What did the first narrator like about the radio show?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the old man on the boat.

2. What does the female narrator ask of her boyfriend? How does this differ from his request to her?

3. Why does Celianne jump overboard?

4. What is the significance of butterflies in the story?

5. What happens during the female narrator's trip to Ville Rose?

6. What does the female narrator tell her father at the dinner table? Why does she do this? What is his reaction?

7. What happens to the male narrator when he tries to sing?

8. What happens in the male narrator's dream?

9. Describe the male narrator's reaction to Celianne going into labor. What does this reveal about the narrator?

10. Describe the relationship between Manman and the female narrator.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Think about the elements of the story that are repeated. What literary function does this serve? What is its effect on the narrative? Be sure to use examples.

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 907 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample