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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 does Pearl feel terrible as she harvests various crops?

2. What is valued over performance?

3. What is the problem with planting wheat?

4. Why is Pearl upset to hear that Joy is pregnant?

5. Why is Pearl delighted when she returns from work one evening?

Short Essay Questions

1. What gives Joy hope as she boils her new shoes?

2. What war has broken out in the commune?

3. What does Joy say in a letter to Pearl, and what is Pearl's reaction?

4. What happens that restores the closeness between Joy and Pearl?

5. What does Dun confess to Pearl, and what is her reaction?

6. What about the package from Joy confuses Pearl, and who understands the message?

7. How does Joy react to the spectacle the Brigade leader makes of Yong, and how does she display courage?

8. What sort of horrors do Z.G. and Pearl see when they are driving to the village?

9. What do Dun and Pearl race to do and what does Pearl decide?

10. What happens when the commune members are called to the canteen?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Dreams of Joy", Joy grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Dreams of Joy" might be considered a slice of Joy's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that "Dreams of Joy" is a "bildungsroman" of Joy. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Joy as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Joy?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Joy's growth throughout "Dreams of Joy", do you think "Dreams of Joy" could be considered Joy's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Dreams of Joy" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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