View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the mistake made about Marjorie at the beginning of her chapter?

2. What gift does Akua NOT give to Yaw?

3. Why does Marjorie release Graham from any relationship with her?

4. What is the inspiration for Marjorie's poem?

5. What do the Edweso people treat Akua as a result of her choice not to talk?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways has Willie marched?

2. Why is Marcus afraid of water?

3. Why do the villagers associate all white men, even the missionary, with the word "obroni" or "Wicked Man" (180)?

4. How does Yaw use his scars to teach history to his students?

5. What advice does Akua give to Yaw about his anger?

6. How does Yaw help Esther relax when she first comes to work for him?

7. Why is it significant that Sonny chooses this nickname over his actual name, Carson?

8. Why does H move to Pratt City, rather than going on to some other town?

9. How do Marjorie and Marcus help each other?

10. How does H's imprisonment prove the inequalities faced by other black men during this time period?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many dysfunctional relationships throughout the text. However, there are also some in which genuine affection and true love abound. Write an essay in which you examine how one or more relationship in the text can serve as a guide for what a romantic relationship can and should be like.

Essay Topic 2

How does Baaba's "nothing from nowhere" curse play out with different characters throughout the novel? Be sure to reference at least three different characters.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you detail the symbolism of the different types of scars carried by multiple characters. Are there ever any instances when those marks prove useful, or are they always detrimental? Is it true that "you could not inherit a scar" (228)?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,018 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample