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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. Why is Joy not supposed to be pleased with her performance?

2. What does Pearl sometimes sneak and keep?

3. What does the interrogator force Pearl to do?

4. On what wall is Joy's picture to be hung?

5. Where is Z.G. going in the morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Joy get into China?

2. What do Z. G. and Joy begin doing immediately at the commune, and why is the work so grueling?

3. What happens to Joy's stepfather, Sam, and how does Joy feel about it?

4. What does Pearl learn about the whereabouts of Z. G. and Joy?

5. What information does Pearl learn right after entering China that relieves her mind?

6. What does Pearl do every morning for a job and what does she find as she is performing her duties?

7. What assignment is Joy given in the village, and why?

8. Describe Joy's trip to China.

9. What does the Prologue recount?

10. Where are Joy and Z. G. going after leaving the Green Dragon Village and what does Z. G. say Joy will have the opportunity to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joy hears that Ping-Li had begged for a divorce from her abusive husband but was continually told to work for the greater good of China by being a better wife. Desperate, she committed suicide by throwing herself in front of the hay cutter. It is interesting to note that the villagers commented on how red her blood was, a sign of a good communist. There were not repercussions for Ping-Li's husband and dissent began to take over the women in the commune who claimed their rights weren't being respected. A few days later, the villagers were banned from speaking about Ping-Li's death.

1. Do you think Ping-Li was abused because she was not a good wife? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss the symbolism to the Chinese workers of the red blood and what kind of propaganda could make people discuss a woman who has just killed herself in such a manner. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss the reasons you believe the government banned the people of the commune from talking about Ping-Li. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Dreams of Joy" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Dreams of Joy".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Dreams of Joy". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Dreams of Joy". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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