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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 miserable on the commune?

2. What has likely happened to the messages Pearl has sent Joy?

3. What work does Pearl do?

4. With whom does Kumei have a disagreement?

5. How does Joy convince the brigade leader to let her do her project in the commune center?

Short Essay Questions

1. About what does everyone worry on the commune and what does Tao's family do to try to fend off the anticipated problem?

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

3. Why does Pearl agree to leave the commune with Z. G.?

4. What are indications that the famine caused by The Great Leap Forward is progressing horribly?

5. What contest does the Brigade leader announce and how does the contest contribute to the food shortage?

6. What does Pearl send Joy and what does Joy do with the articles?

7. Why does Pearl work alongside Yong?

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

9. What crop is to be planted the following year and why is this a poor decision?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Dreams of Joy". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Rick from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 2

Dreams of Joy belongs to the fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a novel and a non-fiction?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Pearl and May. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Z.G. and Dun. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Dreams of Joy" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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