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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. Where does Bynum say everyone in the vision is going?

2. What does Bynum say a woman can do?

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

4. How does Jeremy say Mattie treats him?

5. What floor does Seth say he's got a room available on?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jeremy and Mattie's relationship progress?

2. What does Reuben say the ghost he saw was like in real life?

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

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

5. When Bynum presses Loomis, saying "then...what happened," what does Loomis tell about his vision?

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

7. To what does Seth attribute Selig's ability to find people?

8. What does Bynum say he sees about Loomis?

9. How did Selig get in the people-finding business?

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 enslavement in the play.

1) What different types of enslavement are there in the play? How is Bynum's binding an enslavement? Is being in a relationship enslaving? Is religion enslaving?

2) In what ways is Loomis still enslaved by his seven years' labor for Joe Turner? What long-term effects does enslavement have on the characters?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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