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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What room does Act 2, Scene 3 take place in?

2. What odd shift does Seth work?

3. What does Seth warn Jeremy, now that Jeremy has no job?

4. What does Bertha give Mr. Loomis for breakfast?

5. What does Loomis say about Mattie's dress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of being trapped in a relationship in the play.

1) Why do men leave women in the play? Why does Jack leave Mattie? Why did Bynum leave his woman?

2) What makes a character stay in a relationship? Is a relationship always a kind of entrapment in the play?

3) Why do women want men to stay in the play? How is Molly's attitude different than Mattie's? Would Molly feel trapped in a relationship?

Essay Topic 2

Disuss the losing of others in the play.

1) Why do characters need each other and find themselves bound together in the play?

2) Why do characters, such as Jack and Martha, leave others in the play? What is the significance to the leaver, and what is the significance to the one who is left?

3) Once a person in the play has lost another, is it possible to reclaim that lost person? Why or why not?

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)

This section contains 363 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample