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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 Fleur gargle with to try to hide her drinking?

2. How long ago in Chapter 13, might the privilege of making the medicine dress have had no use for Margaret?

3. Who helped Margaret kill a cow moose for the dress?

4. Where does Nanapush sleep in the afternoon after visiting Shesheeb in Chapter 11?

5. In Chapter 13, what raised letters does Nanapush see on the star he made?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Polly Elizabeth and Fantan's plans in Chapter 12?

2. Why does Mauser keep Fantan with him?

3. How do Mauser's fortunes start to fail?

4. How did Margaret's mother hide her from the agents of the government school for a time?

5. When Shesheeb enchants Nanapush and makes him dance, how is the enchantment broken?

6. What talent does John II have?

7. What does Nanapush do to try to explain why there is a hole in Margaret's linoleum?

8. Why does Margaret not believe Nanapush's story that a star fell through the roof and her linoleum?

9. How is Fleur in Mauser's presence?

10. How did Shesheeb hurt Nanapush's sister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nanapush feels a “state of keen and busy sorrow” (75) because of his dealings with the whites. How does Nanapush have to deal with the white presence and practices? Why are the whites a negative influence?

Essay Topic 2

The climax in a novel is the highest point of tension and a turning point. What are the two climaxes in the story? Why is there a physical and a spiritual climax in Four Souls?

Essay Topic 3

An analogy is the comparison of an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar or to help readers understand characters, events, or concepts. What are some analogies Erdrich uses in Four Souls? How do these analogies help readers comprehend and understand characters, events, or concepts?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 860 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample