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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. At the beginning of the chapter "The Farm in the Clearing", what inhuman scene does Granpa describe to Little Tree?

2. How do religious and cultural beliefs cause Little Tree and the sharecropper's daughter to act negatively towards each other?

3. The author shares many Cherokee symbols with the reader. What is revealed in Chapter 14 about the meaning of an Indian holding up his palm?

4. How does the author suggest that even nature is mourning about Little Tree's departure?

5. Referring to people who like to take and give handouts, what similarity does Granpa describe between some people and some countries?

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. 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?

4. Identify two specific lessons that Little Tree learns from his family and that are reinforced by Mr. Wine.

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

6. What examples of prejudice and misunderstanding does Little Tree encounter at the orphanage?

7. How do Granpa and Little Tree continue to make sure that as much as possible is learned from Little's Tree loss in the calf purchase?

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

9. Give a brief summary of the events related by Granpa that lead to Little Tree's return from the orphanage.

10. What are the main purposes served by the incident in which Granpa is bitten by the rattlesnake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the author's treatment of death and loss in the first and last chapters of the novel, indicating the changes which are evident in Little Tree's reactions to these experiences.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Through the voice of Granpa, the novel expresses many explicit criticisms of the government, the law and authority figures in general. Write a critical analysis of Granpa's attitude to the government, the law and authority figures in general and comment on whether you consider it appropriate for Granpa to pass on his views to Little Tree.

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