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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. Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics the protagonist of "The Store" lists about himself in regard to his service at his first job?

2. What does Avis ask the dreadlock man when she first sees him?

3. How long have Joyce and Rickey been married?

4. What toy does Madeleine bring with her as Maddie drags the children out of the house?

5. In "The Sunday Following Mother's Day", on what street was the family's apartment located?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "An Orange Line Train to Ballston", describe the opening of the story.

2. Describe Lydia's lifestyle in "Lost in the City".

3. Discuss the way the dreadlock man responds to Marvella's children.

4. Why does Marvella keep her children at the school in Northwest?

5. In "The Store", how does the protagonist begin his employment at the grocery store?

6. Describe the woman Mildred's husband had an affair with.

7. How do the Gospelteers respond to the fire at the church?

8. In "The Store", why does Kentucky criticize the protagonist?

9. Why was the protagonist of "The Store" initially hesitant to respond to the ad in the paper?

10. How does Samuel Jr. react when he learns that his sister has kept contact with their father over the years?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the study of urban life, the theme of containment--of limited possibility for inner city people--comes to the forefront. Discuss the notion of containment or mobility in this collection of short stories. Do the characters seem confined, restrained, or inescapably bound to their circumstances in the city? Or, are they free to move in and out of the physical and social spaces provided for them within the city? How does Jones create this sense of freedom or restriction? And, what commentary does he provide on this condition?

Essay Topic 2

Religion emerges as a significant theme throughout the collection as Jones presents a nuanced approach to this central element of the African-American community. Discuss Jones' commentary on the institution of religion in the community he describes. How does Jones comment on the influence of religion in the African-American community? Is it a purely spiritual institution in the community? Or, does the church also serve a social purpose in the community?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Jones' exploration of family and family structures throughout this collection. What models of family does Jones provide in the work? How do the various models compare to one another? Are they divergent in significant ways? Do they all contribute to a common conception of family? Do Jones' families behave in conventional or expected ways? Provide examples from at least four families in the text.

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