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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 happens when the mother goes into labor?

2. With whom does Klara become lovers near the end of the war?

3. How does Hanna's father meet Hanna's mother?

4. What was Matthias once training to be?

5. Who is Trudi's father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Hanna's mother told by the nuns when she goes to the convent, and what is the mother's response?

2. What does Matthias tell Hanna about his life as a priest in training?

3. Describe the narrator of these stories.

4. What do many people believe is the cause of Trudi becoming an old maid?

5. Who does Hanna befriend?

6. When does Hanna's mother most like to swim?

7. What do the townspeople say is the source of Trudi's dwarfism?

8. What is the problem with the narrator's mother in White Lilacs and what does she do?

9. How is Trudi treated as a child?

10. What do the townspeople thing about Hanna's mother and how do they respond to her paintings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Floating in My Mother's Palm and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Floating in My Mother's Palm is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Floating in My Mother's Palm help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Floating in My Mother's Palm? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Floating in My Mother's Palm to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Floating in My Mother's Palm. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of love in Floating in My Mother's Palm. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in Floating in My Mother's Palm.

(see the answer keys)

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