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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 shocking news does the theater owner make moments after Kathleen's performance?

2. How does James feel about his first-born child?

3. Why does the Frye family say their daughter can no longer play with Mercedes?

4. What classic fairy tale does the narrator reference when describing Mumma's death?

5. How old is Kathleen during her first singing recital?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is James's reaction when he realizes that someone has moved the stones around Ambrose's grave?

2. What is James's job in battle, and how does he manage to survive?

3. How does Materia respond to her first pregnancy?

4. What terrible decision is Materia forced into when she helps her daughter Kathleen give birth to twins?

5. How does Kathleen react when Teresa Taylor, the Mahmoud's maid, pays the Piper family a visit?

6. Why does Materia feel guilty about her expectations for James's future in the army?

7. What wakes Mercedes up in the middle of the night on the evening before Materia's death?

8. How does James adjust to life at home with Kathleen living in New York?

9. What is the Mahmoud family's reaction to Kathleen's death?

10. What is the reaction of Materia's parents to her marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his fatherhood, James has worked a variety of jobs to support his family. First, create a time line of James's employment throughout the novel. Which jobs did he most enjoy? Which did he least enjoy? What traits about each of the jobs make them similar? Then, explain how these jobs help to characterize James not only as a man but as a father? What symbolism can be found in James's line of work? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Frances's relationship with her Uncle Jameel and cousin Boutros. How do each of these men feel about Frances? In what ways does Uncle Jameel's treatment of Frances parallel James's treatment of Frances? How do each of these men affect Frances's sexual awakening? Which man do you think has a larger impact on Frances's sexuality? Why? Finally, describe Boutros's relationship with Frances. In what ways is his treatment of Frances different than anyone else's? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the event of Frances baptizing the twins down by the river. Throughout the novel, the events are told from Frances, Mercedes, and James's perspectives. How do these perspectives of events differ? How are they same? What is gained is experiencing the events through three different perspectives? What is lost? Why do you think MacDonald chose to rewrite these events three times? What message is she trying to send about this event and its effects on the family? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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