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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 one of Dahfu's wives put on her thigh?

2. What does Dahfu say the Arnewi tribe resembles?

3. Who visits Henderson and Romilayu?

4. What do the villagers kick and mock?

5. What is the name of the lion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henderson write in his letter to Lilly?

2. What is Henderson's life like as an Sungo?

3. How does Henderson defend his sessions with Dahu and Atti?

4. Describe Dahfu's wife in chapter 18.

5. How does Henderson feel as he is running through the town in Chapter Fourteen?

6. Why will Henderson not turn back in Chapter Sixteen?

7. What is Henderson's bad feeling in Chapter Twenty?

8. Describe how Henderson gets home?

9. What does Henderson remember about the argument with his father at Dick's funeral?

10. What bet do Henderson and Dahfu make?

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

Pick a character from the novel and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motives? Why? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

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