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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. Azaka goes about his business first, settling outstanding loans from what, and then selling the goods from his altar to the guests?

2. What is a ritual feeding of the poor?

3. Philo meets a man named Luc Charles with whom she bears a child named ______________.

4. Fouchard feeds Sina and gives her a place to rest whenever she comes to town to sell her goods at the market. Why does Fouchard do this?

5. For Karen, the trip is largely in the name of ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the connection between one's power and the will of the spirits in the world of Vodou?

2. How might oral traditions be difficult for the reader?

3. How is the character Jepete important?

4. How does this culture affect men like Macena? How is Sina finally able to escape him? How does this lead to a change in her life?

5. Compare Azaka to Joseph Binbin Mauvant.

6. How is Sina's strength revealed in this chapter?

7. How does jealousy affect the plot of this story?

8. How is Marie Claire significant?

9. How do you feel about Karen marrying Ogou? How does this marriage change the path of Karen's life? What does this also teach her?

10. What other imagery is used in this chapter? How does it affect the reader? What message does this imagery send?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ezili represents the many facets of womankind.

Part 1) Who is Ezili? Describe the many forms of Ezili. Why is this significant in Haitian culture? What does it reveal about Haitian women?

Part 2) With which Ezili do you most relate? Why? Who in our own culture might represent the same type of woman as this Ezili?

Part 3) What women in our own culture best represent American women? Why? Are these the same women the American media promotes? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Jealousy is a theme.

Part 1) Describe jealousy as it is found in this book? How is jealousy a theme? How does jealousy affect the lives of the characters in this book and in the lives of Haitians in general?

Part 2) How frequently are you jealous? Is jealousy a concern in the U.S. as it is in Haiti? Why or why not?

Part 3) What are two other themes found in this book? Describe these themes. How are they tied to the book and to each other?

Essay Topic 3

Gede's dominon is the realm of death.

Part 1) Who is Gede? What is his role in Vodou? How important is he in Vodouism? Why? What is his connection to the other Vodou spirits?

Part 2) To whom can Gede be compared? What are the similarities and differences between Gede and this person or spirit? What do these spirits reveal about those who believe in them?

Part 3) What is the female version of Gede? How is she coming into existence? Why is she coming into existence? What does belief in her reveal about Haitian and Vodou culture?

(see the answer keys)

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