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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. As Chapter 24 begins, how long has Sportcoat been sober?

2. According to Haroldeen in Chapter 22, she is finished doing what?

3. In Chapter 21, the Elephant confirms that the Gorvino crime family knows which individual?

4. Which person does Bunch tell Earl to get in Chapter 14?

5. According to Sportcoat in Chapter 26, how has he changed in the last year?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom does Deems go out on a date in Chapter 17? What does he know about her?

2. What plan does Bunch Moon hatch in Chapter 14? Why?

3. What does Sportcoat reveal about his son in Chapter 26?

4. What happens when Hot Sausage interrupts Deems at the pier in Chapter 17?

5. Briefly describe the conversation between Sportcoat and the Elephant in Chapter 16.

6. How does Sportcoat die?

7. What plan does Sportcoat hatch in Chapter 17? How does Hot Sausage respond?

8. What bit of hope does Sister Gee give to her community in Chapter 18? How does she know this?

9. Who goes to Five Ends Baptist in Chapter 25? What happens there?

10. What two gifts does Sportcoat give Deems in Chapter 22?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sportcoat tells Deems that he tried to kill him because “the life of goodness is not one that your people has chosen for you” (322). Explain Sportcoat’s words. How do his words reflect not only his motive for shooting Deems but also the novel’s themes and conflicts?

Essay Topic 2

The antagonist of a novel is a character or force who works in opposition to the protagonist. Who is the antagonist of the novel? Deems? Bunch Moon? Haroldeen? Perhaps the antagonist is not a person at all. What do you think? Make a case for that which you believe best fits the criteria of an antagonist.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is the novel a celebration of diversity? Evaluate the role of diversity in the novel, using textual evidence for support.

(see the answer keys)

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