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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. Amma recalls that she had closed the trinket box long ago on which day of the week?

2. In what sort of location is Belinda taken shopping for a new clothing?

3. In Chapter 7, Mary and Belinda communicate with one another using what method?

4. On the way from the airport to Nana's house, Belinda worries that London may be one big what?

5. Belinda tells a story about a man with what primary quality, making Amma distinctly uncomfortable?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the kitchen sink symbolize in relation to Mary and Belinda's relationship?

2. What types of clues does Donkor provide to suggest that Mary might have endured trauma in her past?

3. What is the symbolism of the oily rag?

4. What simile does Mary employ in order to describe her idea of an automaton lifestyle?

5. What sort of coping mechanism does Belinda herself long to use after she is "attacked" (80) with Amma's teddy bear?

6. What element of the burial scene in the prologue most upsets Belinda?

7. Who is Amma and in what ways does she act as a foil to Belinda?

8. In what way does the sound motif enter the narrative in relation to Belinda's feelings toward Mary?

9. How does Belinda succeed in calming Amma down when she has begun to sob during the visualization exercise?

10. Discuss a striking use of metaphor that occurs in the prologue.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Belinda’s character throughout the novel Housegirl. Discuss whether Belinda is a round or flat character and whether Belinda is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 2

Explicate the theme of control within Housegirl. What is Donkor’s message regarding control and how do you know?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Mary's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Donkor in depicting Mary and include in your discussion the reasons that Donkor portrays Mary in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

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