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. Who is Herald Loomis looking for?

2. Who is Sally?

3. Why does Selig say he can't find Bynum's "shiny man"?

4. Where does Seth chase Reuben and Zonia away from?

5. What happens when Loomis has a vision?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Reuben say the ghost he saw did and said?

2. How does Seth greet Loomis when he comes down the stairs at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 1?

3. What does Bynum say about to Mattie luck?

4. What does Selig tell Bynum on his second visit about Bynum's "shiny man"?

5. Describe what Bynum tells Jeremy about touching.

6. What problem does Seth foresee for Jeremy, and what does Seth suggest as a solution?

7. What is Molly's reaction to the death of Mattie's two babies?

8. What does Seth say to Loomis, when Loomis first enters in Act 2, Scene 2?

9. What is Loomis' reaction to walking in on the Juba?

10. What does Loomis say that the wave in his vision washed up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the importance of financial independence to characters in the story.

1) Seth wants to gain financial independence by starting his own business. What stops him from achieving his goal? Why is this an important goal for him?

2) Molly doesn't want to be "bought." She wants to be independent, while not working. What kind of independence does she achieve? How does money play into her independence?

3) Why does Mattie continue to work while she is with Jeremy? Does her working keep them separate?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss hope in the story.

1) Why do the freed slaves come north to Pittsburgh? What does Seth think and say about their hope for a new life? How accurate is Seth's opinion?

2) Do the characters have hope during the play? Do any of the characters, such as Loomis, Jeremy, or Mattie, gain hope? What do they hope for?

3) What role does hope play in life and happiness in the play? Is hope helpful or harmful?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one's responsibility to one's self and to others in the play.

1) What responsibility does Martha have to Herald after he is enslaved? Is she wrong to leave, instead of waiting for him indefinitely?

2) What responsibility does Herald have toward Martha? Does he fulfill his responsibilities?

3) Is it more important in the play to live for one's self, as Molly seems to, or to live for others, as Mattie seems to?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 762 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample