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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 does Manfred's father ask his wife when he returns from a bar after holding Manfred out the window?

2. How does Manfred's father try to manipulate his wife?

3. Where do Hanna and Renate go many times?

4. How did Hanna's mother fit into the small town?

5. What precipitates Manfred's father's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Manfred's father end up dead?

2. What did Rolf tell Hanna not to do?

3. How old was Hanna when her mother died and how did her mother die?

4. How does Manfred's father endanger Manfred?

5. From where does Hans-Jurgen escape and who decides to search for him?

6. Where does Hanna find Rolf, what do they do there and upon what do they agree?

7. Why does Hanna's mother feel guilty when she hears about Karin Baum's situation?

8. How and why does Anton cull his violets?

9. What happens to a young couple who are in their car and who do the townspeople think is responsible?

10. What is the effect of the painter's actions on Anton and what do the townspeople say about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Floating in My Mother's Palm. Questions that Hegi most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Hegi's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hegi's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Hegi and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Floating in My Mother's Palm. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hegi chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hegi chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Hegi's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Hegi use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample