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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. How much money does Daphne offer Easy to take her to Frank in Chapter 26?

2. Who does Mr. Carter identify Daphne’s friend that was found murdered as, in Chapter 17?

3. Who does Easy claim to have saved from Rosetta’s abuse in Chapter 31?

4. Who looks on as Easy waters his garden in Chapter 31?

5. How does Primo awaken Easy in Chapter 28?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the outcomes of Mr. Albright and the Mexican boy described in Chapter 30?

2. What information does Joppy reveal to Easy in Chapter 21?

3. How does the conflict between Easy and Frank Green conclude in Chapter 21?

4. What confrontation takes place between Mouse and Easy in Chapter 19? How does this conflict conclude?

5. How does the gun battle conclude in Chapter 29? Who “saves the day”?

6. What does Easy choose to reveal and not reveal to Mouse in Chapter 22?

7. How does Easy elude police suspicion following the events of the story?

8. What leads Easy to the office of Lion Investments in Chapter 17?

9. How does Easy’s character transition in Chapter 18? What leads this transition?

10. What does Easy do upon arriving at Vernie’s in Chapter 18? Who does Easy speak with?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of morality in Devil in a Blue Dress. Do you think that Easy Rawlins is a morally upstanding character? Why or why not? How do Easy’s actions in Chapter 6 illustrate his willingness to cross the lines of morality?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Daphne Monet in Devil in a Blue Dress. How do Easy’s preconceived notions of Daphne compare with her reality when he first meets her in Chapter 13? How would you characterize Daphne’s behavior toward Easy? What secrets does Daphne harbor in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Zeppo in Chapter 19 and Zeppo’s relationship to the theme of racial identity. How is Zeppo described by the other characters? In what ways does Zeppo stand outside of the prescribed notions of race?

(see the answer keys)

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