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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 Christian missionaries have been trying to steal Nash's converts?

2. How many years has Nash been in Liberia?

3. Where was Martha's husband sold?

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

5. What does Nash request assistance from Edward for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Edward Williams?

2. Describe Cleo Hoffman.

3. How does Martha pay for her passage to California?

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

5. What happens to most of the letters that Nash Williams writes to Edward Wiliams?

6. What does Martha think happened to her daughter?

7. Do you think that the American Colonization Society sincerely believes in helping former slaves?

8. How did Madison Williams get emancipated?

9. What illness has killed many slaves?

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

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

While the first two stories in Crossing the River showed struggle more from the perspective of black characters who were victims of a cruel society that endorsed slavery, "Crossing the River" is told wholly from the perspective of a white captain who promotes slavery through trade. Describe his beliefs and how he reconciles them with the immoral profession he endorses and takes part in. What is "commercial detachment," and what does Captain Hamilton think of it?

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)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample