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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. Under what name was Four Soul's mother registered?

2. In Chapter 3, who comes running when Polly Elizabeth screams after Mauser bites her?

3. What disease is Mauser thought to have before the doctor comes from Chicago?

4. What days of the week does Placide meet with a painting teacher?

5. In "Figures of the Captive Graces," with whom has Placide been having an affair?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Fleur learn the ways of the house?

2. What does Polly Elizabeth learn about how humans were mistreated when the house was built?

3. What affliction takes Nanapush's people?

4. Why does Peggy Elizabeth's household have so much laundry?

5. In Chapter 4, why does Polly Elizabeth believe she should let Fleur go, and why does Placide want Fleur to stay?

6. For how long does Fleur withhold herself from Mauser and why?

7. What does Fleur do when John Mauser has a seizure?

8. How does Nanapush say that he and Fleur made no attempts to avoid pain?

9. How does Fleur travel to the iron road?

10. Why did some, like Nanapush, surrender to the cross and the Jesuits?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nanapush is jealous. Why is Nanapush jealous of Shesheeb? How does Margaret incite his jealousy and why?

Essay Topic 2

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does Erdrich use more metaphors or similes in Four Souls? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 3

In Four Souls, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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