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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Molly's attitude toward men?

2. When does Bertha say Mattie will find what she's looking for?

3. What does Molly say her mother wouldn't do?

4. What does Bertha recommend to Loomis?

5. What is Bynum doing when he comes downstairs in Act 2, Scene 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the meaning of Eugene's pigeons in the play.

1) Why does Reuben keep Eugene's pigeons instead of setting them free? Why might Eugene want the pigeons set free after his death?

2) Why does Seth's mother's ghost come and force Reuben to free the pigeons?

3) What symbolism do the pigeons have in Bynum's rituals?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the losing of the self in the play.

1) How does Loomis lose himself and his identity in the play? Why can't he reclaim it?

2) What is the significance of a person's Song, as Bynum describes it, and how does losing one's Song equate to losing one's self?

3) How can characters find themselves? Which characters are still lost at the end of the play?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 374 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample