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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 Nash's school?

2. Who tells Martha about the old master's death?

3. Where was Martha's husband sold?

4. Where does the person who finds Martha in the doorway take her?

5. What happens to many slaves that repatriate to Liberia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Voice of Africa?

2. Describe the fight that Chester had with some fellow poker players.

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

4. Who is Edward Williams?

5. What group of people make up most of Martha's business while she is in Kansas?

6. Briefly describe the journey that Edward Williams takes to find Nash.

7. How does Martha come to run a restaurant in Dodge City?

8. Where does Nash Williams settle in his second year in Africa in "The Pagan Coast"?

9. Describe the mystery woman.

10. Describe Leavenworth.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "The Pagan Coast," setting is a prominent character in the same way that war is a prominent character in "Somewhere in England." How does setting play a role in "The Pagan Coast," and how does Liberia change in the eyes of the characters throughout the story? What did it represent in the beginning, and what did it represent in the end? How does war play a role in "Somewhere in England"? Describe how these unconventional characters (setting and war) play such significant roles in these stories? How do they influence their respective characters?

Essay Topic 2

Caryl Phillips writes "West" in such a way that is not accusatory of the white characters for their actions in the story concerning the treatment of blacks, and he does this by showing how they must have realistically thought of their actions, using points of view that show their ignorance. Discuss the intentions and point of view of one or more of the white characters. Focus on the idea of ignorance and how most of that seems to come out of the naivete of white people at the time. What do you think of the woman's attempt to assist Martha? Was she helping her to make herself feel less guilty about the immoral way blacks are treated or did she sincerely seek to help Martha? Why is the fact that she does not know Martha's name significant?

Essay Topic 3

"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.

(see the answer keys)

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