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

2. How many times does Henderson throw Itelo to the floor?

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

4. What is the name of Henderson's first wife?

5. What does Henderson like about Africa?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Willatale describe Henderson?

2. How do Lily and Henderson meet?

3. What does Henderson remember about his dentist back in Europe and America?

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

5. What does Ricey do with the black baby?

6. What convinces Henderson to go to Africa with Charlie and his wife?

7. Why does Henderson become a pig farmer?

8. How does the wood chip change Henderson's life?

9. Describe Lily's life up to meeting Henderson?

10. Why does Henderson head off to the remote parts of Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine all the philosophical ideas that Bellow uses in the book, for example, the philosophy of existentialism. Why is the question of human nature such an important question in this book? How do the philosophies relate to the novel and its characters. In what way does Bellow use elements such as dialogue and characterization to communicate these ideas?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of 1950's America.

1) Why is spirituality finding oneself such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters' negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America is going through a transitional phase in the 1950's? What significant changes do you think occur during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with 1950' America?

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)

This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample