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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 does Seth tell Molly is served on Sundays?

2. What does Loomis say is happening as Bynum tells him that everyone in the vision is standing up?

3. What type of business does Seth want to start?

4. What does Bertha suggest Seth do?

5. What does Selig ask Seth to make with the metal sheets he's brought?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bynum say about to Mattie luck?

2. What is the significance of Bynum's asking Loomis if he's ever been to Johnstown?

3. What is Jeremy's initial reaction to Molly Cunningham?

4. What does Molly say about her father?

5. What does Reuben imagine it would be like if Eugene's ghost came back?

6. What does Bynum say he sees about Loomis?

7. What is Molly's reaction to the scene with Loomis after the Juba?

8. What is Seth's opinion of Bynum's behavior with Loomis after the Juba?

9. What warning does Bynum give Mattie Campbell?

10. What reason does Mattie give Loomis for hoping Loomis finds his wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of music throughout the play.

1) What role does the Juba play? What type of music is this? What is its origin and meaning, and why does it make Loomis angry?

2) What role does Jeremy's music play in the story? Why does he carry his guitar with him? What does his music say about his character?

3) What role does the song "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" play in the story? Is it important that Joe Turner's name is embodied in song? Why does the name come to Bynum through a song?

4) How does the Binding Song or Bynum's father's Healing Song relate to the role of music in the play?

Essay Topic 2

Though black slaves have been freed, the characters in the play still experience oppression. Discuss oppression in the play.

1) How is Jeremy oppressed, both when he is arrested and when he is fired from his job? What forces make this oppression possible?

2) Does Seth experience oppression or prejudice? Does his lack of backing in his metalworking plan and his relationship with Selig indicate any prejudice?

3) Is Bertha's story of how Selig makes money finding people credible? What significance does it have?

4) What forces in society lead to oppression of the characters in the story?

Essay Topic 3

The characters in the story search for meaning in their lives. Discuss this search for meaning.

1) What meaning has Bynum found in life? Why does Bynum say that others need to find the meaning of life for themselves?

2) What makes life meaningful for Jeremy? Will he continue to find this meaning fulfilling?

3) What does Seth find meaningful in life? Is Seth satisfied with his life? Does he search for meaning?

4) What meaning is Loomis searching for in his life? What about the other characters, such as Mattie and Molly?

(see the answer keys)

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