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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 has become of most of the slaves who have repatriated to Monrovia?

2. What happens six weeks into the journey to California?

3. Where does Nash Williams establish his settlement?

4. What is the African Fever?

5. What happens to Martha at the end "West"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Edward dream that caused him much angst, and what does he interpret it as?

2. How is Nash treated by white men in Monrovia, Liberia?

3. What spurs Edward Williams to go to Africa?

4. What happens to the relationship between Nash and his natural mother?

5. Describe Martha's friend, Lucy.

6. What happens to Martha at the end of "West"?

7. Describe Leavenworth.

8. Describe the American Colonization Society.

9. Where did Nash Williams first settle in Africa, and what did he do there?

10. When and where was the last time Martha saw her husband and daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Christianity is a theme that runs throughout each story in Crossing the River. Choose two stories to compare in regards to the way Christianity influences characters. How do the characters' beliefs influence the plot? How do they reconcile their actions with their beliefs? Make sure you name which stories you choose, and use examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

"West" and "Somewhere in England" both focus on women, but they are women of very different worlds. Compare and contrast the characters of Martha Randolph and Joyce. How are they similar (in situation, circumstances, personality, etc), and how are they different? Take note of the fact that they are of different time periods as well as of different nationalities. Make sure you use examples from the stories to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Each character in "The Pagan Coast," such as the American Colonization Society and Madison, represents a perspective or theme of the time period. For example, Edward represents the white Christian's perspective of a person who owns slaves, yet pities them, so he tries to bring them up to his level by teaching them white civility. Explore two characters' perspectives or themes that they present in the story. Make sure your answer analyzes them in detail, providing evidence through the use of examples found in the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 756 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample