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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. What warrior lesson does Karen learn?

2. Macena shirks his responsibilities and spends all of his time where?

3. He comes to town alone, speaking of having done what?

4. What is a ritual feeding of the poor?

5. Unfortunately, Fouchard's plan all along is to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sets Alourdes further apart from the poor Haitians?

2. What do most Americans think of "voodoo?"

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

4. How does this similarity relate to their decision to take up the ason and serve the spirits?

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

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

7. 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?

8. Why is oral tradition important in this culture?

9. Why is a manbo especially important in Haiti during the present time?

10. What contrast is discussed in this chapter? Describe this contrast.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of life in Vodou culture is out of the people's hands.

Part 1) Describe the role of Vodou spirits in Haitian culture. How are they important in everyday life in Haiti? How do these spirits guide Haitians in the decisions they make and the way they behave?

Part 2) Is there concrete evidence in this book that the Haitians are controlled by Vodou spirits? Explain. Are Haitians the only ones who feel their lives are guided by these spirits? Why or why not?

Part 3) Who or what guides the lives of most Americans? How does this compare to the Vodou spirits? How does this affect the lives of most Americans and our country as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

Many God-fearing people believe Vodou practitioners will go to hell.

Part 1) Describe a God-fearing person. How is Aunt Emma a God-fearing person? What is her purpose in this book? What does Mama Lola think about Aunt Emma and other God-fearing people? What does this say about Mama Lola and other Vodou practitioners?

Part 2) Why do many God-fearing people feel this way about Vodou practitioners? Should they feel this way? Why or why not? Mama Lola says she is a Christian. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Part 3) What are your own thoughts about those who are Christians and those who are not Christians. What are your own opinions regarding hell? Does hell exist? Should non-Christians be worried? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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