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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. In the incident with the two men from Chattanooga, how does Little Tree demonstrate that he is becoming clever and less trusting?

2. In teaching Little Tree, how does Mr. Wine reinforce Granma's lessons about the spirit-mind and the body-mind?

3. Why does Willow John leave a long knife in church?

4. What evidence is given in Chapter 16 that there is prejudice even in the church?

5. How does the reverend at the orphanage continue the prejudice that Little Tree has suffered throughout his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what two ways do Granpa and Granma help to create a sense of worth in Little Tree during Chapter 15?

2. How does this episode on the old farm symbolize both the cruelty and generosity observed by Granpa in his youth?

3. What purpose does Willow John serve in the novel?

4. Write a short character sketch of Mr. Wine and summarize his role in the story.

5. What are the author's reasons for introducing the sharecropper and his daughter to the reader?

6. In what ways does the author communicate to the reader the growing fear and grief experienced by Granpa, Granma and Little Tree at the prospect of their separation?

7. In what way does the title of Chapter 18 foreshadow the events that occur in it?

8. How does the description of the incident with Mr. Slick and Mr. Chunk demonstrate the author's ability to use humor?

9. What does Chapter 16 suggest about the place of church going in the lives of Little Tree's family?

10. During an incident in Chapter 13, poor people on the farm in the clearing are harassed and killed by government authorities. What part does this incident play in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is sometimes the case that major characters in a story are used by the author to express his / her own point-of-view. Of all of the characters in "The Education of Little Tree," suggest with reasons, which one(s) you believe is (are) reflecting most closely the author's opinions.

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

Among the important themes explored in this novel are exclusion and prejudice. Discuss the characters, circumstances and relationships through which the themes of exclusion and prejudice are explored in the novel.

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