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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. What well-to-do relative of Ellen's attends the funeral?

2. What luxuries does Ellen have in her new life that did not exist in her old life?

3. What present does Ellen receive from Starletta's family?

4. What method does Ellen consider using to kill someone?

5. What item does Ellen's new mama never seem to run out of?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, how does Ellen's prejudiced nature show up?

2. In what ways does Ellen justify not telling anyone about the circumstances of her mother's death?

3. What event leads to Ellen's removal from her father's care?

4. Why does Ellen have to make sure that she retrieves the envelope of money from the mailbox before her father can get to it?

5. In what ways has Ellen's mother's family shown that they do not care if Ellen is being neglected?

6. How is Ellen wearing her mother's clothes symbolic to the story?

7. How is Ellen's former life and her new life an example of dualism?

8. How is Ellen's obsessive side shown in Chapter 6?

9. How does Ellen's grandmother cause a scene at the funeral?

10. What gifts does Ellen buy herself for Christmas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An underlining theme throughout the novel was death. Several people in Ellen's life died, and metaphorically Ellen herself died and had a rebirth. Using details from the text describe how the topic of death was a central theme throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 2

In several instances in the text, Ellen tries to control the small things around her. Why does Ellen need to control these things?

Essay Topic 3

Using the details from the text and class discussions, discuss the ways that Ellen trusted and distrusted the people in her weak support system.

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