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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. Coleman is a __________ skinned Jew, according to his own description.

2. At what college did Coleman Silk teach before his hasty departure from the college?

3. What happened to Nathan that caused him to live a life of celibacy?

4. ____________ was also an abstract painter and a poet.

5. Where has Lester Farley already tried to get help after his service in the military?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Iris a strong woman, according to the descriptions in the book?

2. What does Mr. Silk believe is the most important thing in life, especially for a black man?

3. What happened to cause Coleman Silk to have to seek retirement from his job?

4. What does the lawyer tell Coleman in regards to the restraining order against Farley?

5. Why did Coleman and Iris marry if they were complete opposites without passion for each other?

6. What is Coleman's religious background and why is this an important detail to note?

7. What is the current and past status of Coleman Silk's employment in this novel?

8. What does Doc Chizner tell Coleman not to tell the Pitt coach when he is applying for a scholarship?

9. Why were Iris' parents never officially married, though they conceived and raised Iris as their daughter?

10. What did Coleman do on the day he went to the funeral parlor to make arrangements for a funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It's interesting that the story includes a modern day reference to the Bill Clinton scandal, as it mirrors other events in the story as well.

Part 1: Why do you think the author decided to include the reference to the Bill Clinton scandal?

Part 2: Do you think Clinton's situation and Coleman's situation are similar? Why or why not?

Part 3: What do you think the novel has to say about affairs between older men and younger women?

Essay Topic 2

Coleman passes most of his life as a white man, obtaining many of the privileges and power that come along with this race.

Part 1: Do you think that Coleman made the right decision in portraying himself as white? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think that Coleman had the intelligence to be in the positions he was in regardless of his race? Why or why not?

Part 3: In the time frame of the story, do you think Coleman needed to hide his race from others anymore? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When Faunia goes to visit the crow, she sees many similarities in the crow and her situation.

Part 1: Why does Faunia go back to visit the crow again and again?

Part 2: Why do you think that Faunia tries to give her opal ring to the crow?

Part 3: Do you think the crow is a symbol for Coleman? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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