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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 is True Belle's relationship to Violet?

2. How much does Joe pay for the bedroom he and Dorcas meet in?

3. Who does Dorcas stay with when Alice goes to work?

4. What does Joe see in Dorcas's picture?

5. What happens to Violet's mother after her father leaves the family?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter Five, how does the author describe Harlem in the springtime?

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

3. What is the story the narrator gives behind Joe's last name?

4. Describe what Violet does with the picture of Dorcas in Chapter One.

5. In Chapter Two, what does Joe tell Dorcas that he never tells Violet?

6. How does the narrator describe Harlem of the 1920s in Chapter One?

7. Describe the time Joe sees Dorcas for the very first time.

8. In Chapter Five, what does Joe think of when he imagines Dorcas?

9. In what ways does Alice try to protect Dorcas?

10. Describe the relationship between Violet and Alice as presented in Chapter Three.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How do you describe the development of the relationship between Alice and Violet? Why do you think Violet is so determined to befriend Alice? What benefits do both women derive from the relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Felice has a strong attachment to the ring Dorcas is buried wearing. What does the ring signify, and why is it so important to Felice? What greater concepts are initiated in the story about the ring?

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