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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. The dermatologist tells Plum that she is no longer allowed to take what action?

2. What is the name of the sitcom starring Marlowe that Plum says she used to watch as a little girl?

3. What object does Plum steal from Verena's desk just before she flees from The Calliope House in her new white poplin dress?

4. What nickname does Sana often call Plum?

5. What part of Plum's body does the esthetician NOT wax when Marlowe takes Plum to the waxing salon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe "the Jennifer effect" (231) and its implications.

2. What is the significance of Plum's response to the little girl on the bus who tells her mother to "look at that big lady" (233)?

3. What personal advice does Julia offer to Plum during their conversation in Plum's bedroom and how does Plum react?

4. What is the author's purpose for including the reporter Cheryl Crane-Murphy's remark, "As a committed Christian, it pains me to admit that I feel nothing but glee at the death of these pigs" (155)?

5. Describe the arc of Plum's writing career over the course of the novel.

6. What is the story behind Marlowe's tattoo that reads, "Women don't want to be me, men don't want to fuck me" (133)?

7. Discuss Plum's comments about her ability to be "like the lilac negligee woman" (234) from the lingerie ads or like Leeta.

8. What action of Leeta's does Plum point to as proof that she should be loyal to Leeta, no matter what she has done?

9. What is the final step of the New Baptist Plan?

10. In what way is Plum already familiar with Marlowe before she meets her at Cafe Rose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Sarai Walker's novel Dietland. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, the male gaze, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Explicate the theme of indoctrination within the novel, particularly in relation to the novel's protagonist. What is the author's message regarding societal indoctrination and how do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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