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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. Who gives Easy a ride home from John’s Place in Chapter 11?

2. Matthew Teran asks Easy if he knows whom in Chapter 11?

3. What is the name of Mouse’s stepfather whom he killed?

4. Who is with Mr. Albright at Easy’s home when he arrives in Chapter 15?

5. Where is John’s Place said to be located in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Easy’s “inner voice” advise him to do in Chapter 14?

2. Where does Easy take Daphne in Chapter 13? What do they find there?

3. What aspect of Easy’s character is revealed through his interactions with Coretta in Chapter 6?

4. What Biblical allusion can be seen in Chapter 3?

5. What is represented through the animal imagery in Chapter 10?

6. Where does Easy go when he leaves the police station in Chapter 11? What interrupts his journey?

7. What are Easy’s initial impressions of Matthew Teran in Chapter 11?

8. Who does Easy meet with in Chapter 9? What happens during this meeting?

9. What concerns Easy about his exchange with the police officers in Chapter 10?

10. What does Easy learn about Navrochet’s murder in the flashback in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Easy’s encounter with the police in Chapter 10. How does this interaction reinforce the theme of racism and prejudice in the novel? How does Easy respond to his treatment? How does his response differ from his reactions to Benny Giacomo? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of race as applied to the characters of the first, second, and third guards that Easy Rawlins encounters at the office of DeWitt Albright. How does Easy respond differently to each “authority figure” based on skin color and ethnicity? What does this say about Easy’s character?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Matthew Teran in Devil in a Blue Dress. How does Easy describe Teran when he meets him? What prevents Easy from taking Teran’s money when he leaves the car? Who is the little boy that Teran keeps with him?

(see the answer keys)

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