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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 Granpa enjoy hunting even though he has never killed a fox in his life?

2. Why does Little Tree set the coal oil can down when the lady in the black car speaks to them?

3. What is the name of the part of the mountain trail between the mountains where the trail becomes thinner?

4. What is Little Tree learning from the way in which Granma and Granpa deal with any extra money that they get from the whiskey?

5. According to Granpa's story, why did his father's friend enter the church with a pistol?

Short Essay Questions

1. What descriptions of the journey to, and arrival at his new home establish that Little Tree is going to be in a strange place?

2. How is Granpa's approach to his trade different from that of some whiskey traders to whom he objects?

3. According to Chapter 6, why is it important for Little Tree to know the past?

4. How does the revelation of Granpa's trade help to shed light on the reason for his earlier objection to one of George Washington's laws?

5. Discuss the chief method used by the Indians to communicate beliefs and values from one generation to the other.

6. What is the importance of the boot moccasins that Granma makes for Little Tree?

7. What does the introduction of Pine Billy add to the story?

8. What does the reader learn in Chapter 3 about the librarian's attitude to lending books to Little Tree and Granpa when they visit the library?

9. Why does Little Tree go to bed feeling happy even though he has lost his father and mother?

10. State an important purpose that is served by this chapter in regard to the social setting of the book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, the author integrates the use of Standard American English with English that reflects the influence of the Cherokee language and other dialects. In light of this, discuss the advantages and limitations of using different types of language in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

An outstanding feature of this story is the author's ability to provide vivid descriptions that help to promote the Cherokee respect for, and love of nature. Provide detailed references to at least three different settings in the novel, and use them to demonstrate the validity of this assertion.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout this novel, there is a constant preoccupation with the theme of man in relationship to nature. Using specific examples, discuss Forrest Carter's exploration of the theme of "man in relationship to nature" in this novel and explain with justification the extent to which this exploration is meant to be a lesson to the reader.

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