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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 does Ernestine do to the dress in Act Two, Scene 2?

2. How does Ernestine say she got the lace for her dress?

3. What does Gerte put into the bowl in Act Two, Scene 2?

4. Who does Ernestine say told her to watch Ermina?

5. What does Ernestine say she has worked hard on?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Lily and Gerte’s differing views on race?

2. What are Lily and Gerte’s differing views on Godfrey?

3. What does Gerte say and do that indicates that she is a fear-based person?

4. What effect does Ernestine say Gerte has on Ermina?

5. What comparisons does Ernestine make between the food and religious belief?

6. What are Lily’s views on race and fashion?

7. What does Lily not like about Ernestine applying lace to her graduation dress?

8. What does Gerte say and do that indicates her naïveté about America?

9. What is the relationship between Gerte and Ernestine like?

10. Why does Ermina’s leg shake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Crump family is grieving the death of their wife, sister, and mother, and different family members exhibit different coping mechanisms in their state of mourning. Write an essay examining the role that grief and loss play in the play.

Essay Topic 2

When their mother dies, sisters Ernestine and Ermina are left without a primary role model at a critical stage in their development. In part, their aunt Lily justifies her presence in their household as her responsibility to fill the void left by Sandra. Write an essay examining the influence Lily has on her nieces.

Essay Topic 3

The introduction of Gerte, a white German woman, into the Crump household is not a smooth transition – above all for Lily. The conflict between Lily and Gerte becomes particularly heated when the subject of race becomes an issue. Write an essay examining the conflict between Lily and Gerte.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample