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. Why doesn't Violet sleep at night?

2. In the beginning of the book, why does Joe say he shoots Dorcas?

3. Why does Joe begin to feel distanced from Violet?

4. Who lives with Joe on Lenox Avenue?

5. What happens when Dorcas eats candy?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter Four, why does True Belle come to Virginia to care for her grandchildren?

2. Describe the first time Joe officially meets Dorcas.

3. Describe Joe's recollection of the train ride to Maryland in Chapter Two.

4. How does the narrator describe the way Joe and Violet meet in Chapter Four?

5. Describe Violet's "crazy episodes" as they are presented in Chapter One.

6. In Chapter Four, how does Violet imagine Joe's relationship with Dorcas?

7. What is the significance of Dorcas's clothespin dolls in Chapter Three?

8. Describe how Dorcas's mother dies.

9. Why do Joe and Violet fall into such deep debt in Chapter Five?

10. In Chapter Four, how does the narrator describe the way Violet feels after she attacks Dorcas's body?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Joe and Violet move from the country to the city? What reasons does Joe give for the move? Do you think these reasons are accurate? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the significance of Malvonne's presence in Morrison's novel. What does the character of Malvonne add to the plot? What is the story like if Morrison does not include such an antagonist?

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about Dorcas's clothespin dolls? What role do they play throughout Dorcas's life? Why do you think Morrison chooses this particular symbol?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 562 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample