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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. Fouchard understands that she must do what?

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

3. By the end of this chapter, Alourdes does what for Karen?

4. Macena is the father of her children so she must do what?

5. This woman is a successful ____________ (market woman).

Short Essay Questions

1. What important themes in the world of Haitian Vodou are seen in this chapter?

2. 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?

3. What is Alourdes' purpose for arranging the 'manje pov?'

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

5. What is the moral of the story in this chapter? How is this a significant lesson to learn?

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

7. How is Marie Claire significant?

8. What does the author say is the purpose of every other chapter in the book? What does this reveal about the author's role in writing these chapters?

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 does Sina's character reveal about women in this culture? How do the women compare to the men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The life of a Manbo is difficult.

Part 1) Describe the life of a manbo. How is it a part of Alourdes' family history? How has it affected her family? Is this good or bad? Why?

Part 2) How has the role of the manbo become increasingly necessary in Haitian culture? How does this affect Alourdes and other manbos? What does this also do to Vodou and its importance in Haitian culture?

Part 3) How have changes in our own culture led to more or less emphasis on religion? How is this seen in other cultures as well?

Essay Topic 2

Karen's involvement in Vodou develops throughout this book.

Part 1) Describe Karen's involvement in Vodou at the beginning of this book? What has drawn her to Mama Lola and the subject of Vodou?

Part 2) How do her feelings regarding Vodou change over the course of the book? What causes these changes? How does this in turn change significant aspects of Karen's life and beliefs?

Part 3) What were your original beliefs regarding Vodou prior to reading this book? How did your views change over the course of reading this book? What led to these changes? How might these changes affect your beliefs regarding other religions and beliefs?

Essay Topic 3

Karen and Alourdes are greeted in Haiti with a mix of fascination and expectation.

Part 1) Describe Alourdes and Karen's trip to Haiti. Why are they greeted in this way? What does this reveal about Karen, Alourdes, and the Haitian people?

Part 2) How does this greeting to one's greeting upon arriving in a community in the U.S.? Why would these similarities and/or differences exist?

Part 3) How might you be greeted in Haiti? Why might you be greeted in this way? How are people greeted in this way? How are people greeted into various countries and cultures around the world? Why do these differences exist? How do these differences reflect the relationships between various groups of people?

(see the answer keys)

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