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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. Philo and a group of friends travel to ______________.

2. The chapter ends with a quick anecdote about whom?

3. Who is Leve Jipon Fanm-nan, meaning "Raise that Woman's Petticoat?"

4. The day arrives when a ________ (an evil spirit, in this case, a two legged horse which stands straight like a man) visits Madame Fouchard in the middle of the night.

5. She is taken back to _______________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How are vodou ideals understood? Give an example from the text that supports this. How might a modern-day American reader feel about this?

4. Describe a metaphor that can be found in this chapter. How is this interesting?

5. How is the legend of Joseph Binbin Mauvant important?

6. How are Sina and Philo similar? What actions do they take? What does this reveal about them?

7. What does this chapter reveal about the Mauvant family and life in Haiti and in the Mauvant family compound?

8. Describe Vodou rituals and ceremonies as a whole. Give an example from this chapter that supports this.

9. How is Mama Lola affected by the needs of these spirits? What are the end results of her actions?

10. How do Alourdes and Maggie feel in American culture? Should they feel this way? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a growing need for Manbos.

Part 1) What is a manbo? How is this person important in Vodou culture? Why are manbos increasingly more important in Haiti? What does this reveal about Vodou culture and life in Haiti?

Part 2) How are these cultural changes seen in other cultures around the world? How is religion becoming more important in some cultures? Why?

Part 3) Would you want to be a manbo? Why or why not? Would you be able to accept a role such as this in another religious organization, if it were offered to you or asked of you? Why or why not? How do manbos reflect the role of religious leaders in a community?

Essay Topic 2

Imagery and metaphors are used frequently throughout this book.

Part 1) Describe the imagery and metaphors found in this book. How are these connected to the stories in this book and the book as a whole?

Part 2) How is imagery important in oral traditions? Why is it so important? How is this importance reflected in this book?

Part 3) What other literary devices can be found in this book? How are they used? Are they effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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