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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. The description of Lulu's work in the kitchen-- filling pots by pointing at them, taking things from the oven that had never been put in--suggests:

2. How are Marie and Rushes Bear "related" by the end of the story?

3. Henry's casket bears a Nazi flag because:

4. Marie's vision of herself stops her from running away because:

5. Leopolda claims she is interested in Marie in particular because:

Short Essay Questions

1. Consider the chapter title "The Bridge." Explain the meaning you derive from this title.

2. What do Howard Kashpaw's actions reveal?

3. Describe Albertine's motivation for staying with Henry though she is afraid.

4. Describe Lulu's relationship with Lyman.

5. Consider the title "Crown of Thorns." What is suggested by the title and the use of the phrase within the chapter?

6. The boat and the waves in the chapter represent what different ideas for Marie and Rushes Bear?

7. Describe the mood of the final day Lyman and Henry spend together.

8. Consider the motif of brokenness in chapter 1. Choose two people or events, or things that are "broken" and make a connection between them.

9. What does June's "hanging" teach Marie about the girl?

10. Why don't Marie's plans for Nector's success work out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the motif of whiteness in Erdrich's novel. What connotations does whiteness carry in people, object, society, situations, etc? What idea is Erdrich revealing about whiteness in her novel? Support your point with specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

The novel's title, Love Medicine, is also the title of one of the chapters within. Consider Erdrich's reasons for choosing the chapter title to represent the whole novel. In your essay, defend or reject Erdrich's choice for the novel using evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Authors often use the last line of their text to offer thematic resolution. Choose the last line of any chapter and explain its significance in the resolution of a theme in your essay.

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This section contains 1,120 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample