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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. Where is he waiting?

2. What does Dick take to prevent himself from getting sick?

3. What does Moses use to kill Mary?

4. At what level does Dick's temperature peak?

5. What does Mary suggest Dick do with the tobacco next year?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary feel about Dick?

2. Describe the state of Dick and Mary's marriage before Dick gets sick.

3. What dream does Mary have about her father? What do you think its significance is? What else does Mary dream about?

4. How is Mary tragically flawed?

5. Describe the state of Dick's farm.

6. How are the Turners regarded in the community?

7. How does Mary feel about managing the farm? How does she feel about the way Dick has been managing the farm?

8. How do you think Mary really feels about Moses? Why?

9. What is the first law of white South Africa?

10. How does Moses hold power over Mary? How does his manner change around her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the role of nature in THE GRASS IS SINGING, describing several scenes from the novel where nature plays a key role and addressing the relationship that two or more characters have with the natural world around them.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that tells the life story of Mary Turner and describes her downward spiral into depression, insanity, and her eventual death. Be sure to address:

1) Major symbols and themes in Mary's life.

2) Mary's relationship with and attitude towards other people and the world around her.

3) The personality traits that define Mary's life and death.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the power relationship between Mary and Moses. Be sure to address:

1) How the relationship changes throughout the novel.

2) How Moses exercises power over Mary.

3) The greater themes and implications of the power relationship between Mary and Moses.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample