View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Danbala operates from the territory of ______________, asking questions.

2. The litany of spirits and the litany of ancestral rite would be impossible to maintain in the realm of _________________ where the human and the divine are forbidden to mix.

3. Second is called ____________, to transform suffering into power.

4. This spirit is never satisfied, always craving more ____________________.

5. The spirit Papa Danbala is very _________, so when he "mounts" his horse, or manbo, in the possession-performance, he utters sounds only and does not speak.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Philo feel about Alourdes? Why might she feel this way?

2. What is the purpose of the Ezili spirits?

3. Who is important in this chapter? Why is she important in comparison to Alourdes?

4. How is myth important in Alourdes' life of Vodou?

5. Who does Aunt Emma represent? Why is this important?

6. What similarity exists between Marie Claire and Maggie?

7. What do the initiates have to do in the cemetery?

8. What story takes place regarding Alourdes in the previous chapter? How is this related to this chapter?

9. What are Philo's plans for Alourdes, prior to her birth? How does this plan change?

10. Compare the focus on morality and sexuality in the Vodou culture as compared the many people in America? How do these differences affect many Americans' views of Vodou?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

There are many short, fictitious stories in this book.

Part 1) Describe two of these short stories. How is each important to the book? What do they each reveal about Haiti, Alourdes' family, and/or Vodou?

Part 2) How are these stories representatives of Haiti's oral tradition? Why is oral history so important to Alourdes' culture? How are the people of Haiti influenced by stories such as these?

Part 3) How is oral history important to other cultures around the world? How is it also a part of American culture? Why might fictitious stories be universal? Why are they created by humans?

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)

This section contains 996 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample