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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. Who is Mrs. La Farge's son?

2. Why is Peyton struggling in her new life after college?

3. Who becomes hysterical when Maudie is found bound and gagged?

4. Who comforts Peyton when her parents fight at the party?

5. What does Helen recollect about Milton in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the premise of LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS?

2. What is significant about the letter that Milton reads while waiting for the train?

3. How does the author indicate the importance of Milton's father's words?

4. How does the experience of the black people contrast with the lives of the supposedly more fortunate Loftis family?

5. How does Helen use Maudie's physical afflictions as a tool?

6. As Dolly rides in the limousine on the way to the cemetery, what are her thoughts about her relationship with Milton?

7. How do thoughts of Peyton lead Milton to think about his own father and what does he recall about that relationship?

8. How does LIE DOWN IN DARKNESS begin?

9. What are some of Helen's recollections in Chapter 1?

10. Where does Dolly find Milton when the train arrives at the station?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is filled with the definite demarcation of whites and blacks as typical for the South in the 1940s. How does the author show the class distinctions between the races? What racial stereotypes does the author use? Why were these behaviors and stereotypes considered acceptable in the 1940s? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of love. Identify at least two themes about love in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Milton, Helen and Dolly. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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