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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 Willatale say that Henderson loves?

2. What does Itelo put on his head when he is defeated?

3. What reward does Henderson receive in the army?

4. What does Henderson see against the wall of the hut?

5. With what does Henderson believe that the Arnewi have surrounded him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lily and Henderson's marriage.

2. Why does Henderson become a pig farmer?

3. In what way is Henderson caught between Lily and Frances?

4. Describes Henderson's life so far.

5. What do Lily and Henderson do in Paris?

6. Describe Mtalba's visit with Henderson.

7. Why are the villagers so upset when Henderson arrives in Chapter Five?

8. How does Henderson intend to help the villagers?

9. How has Lily' s life changed in Chapter Three?

10. Describe how Henderson kills the frogs.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Bellow use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character, Henderson, examine the way Bellow uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is particularly distinct about African tribal culture? How different do they think it is from Western life? How different is it from other aspects of African life, for example city life? How does tribal life differ from country to country?

Essay Topic 3

The novel is set mostly in Africa.

1) What meaning does Africa bring to the novel? What would you automatically presume about a novel that is set in Africa?

2) How different do you think today's Africa is to the Africa in the novel? How do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's Africa?

3) How do you think the African settings of the novel contributes to the novel's spiritual meaning?

(see the answer keys)

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