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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. Why must this be dislodged?

2. She was born by cesarean section weighing a record ______ pounds.

3. First, upon arrival in Haiti, the group visits _______________ where a ritual cleansing is performed.

4. 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.

5. When he finds her, she repeatedly refuses service to him. Why?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the best stories in this chapter? Why?

2. What similarity exists between Marie Claire and Maggie?

3. What does this chapter reiterate about the responsibility of serving the spirits?

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

5. What is significant about Karen's marriage to Papa Danbala?

6. What is one of the most important lessons learned about the practice of Vodou from reading this book? How is Karen's involvement in Mama Lola's story important to most readers of this book?

7. What is Alourdes' main role in Vodou? Describe her actions in this role. Why does she act this way?

8. What is Alourdes' response regarding Catholic priests? What does this reveal about Haitians?

9. What do all the women in this family have in common?

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

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 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?

Essay Topic 3

The roles of men and women are very different in Haitian culture.

Part 1) Describe the roles of men and women in Haitian culture. How are these roles revealed throughout this book? How is Vodou connected to these roles?

Part 2) How does this explain and reinforce the strength of the women in Alourdes' family? How might it also play a part in drawing Karen into Haitian and Vodou culture?

Part 3) What are the roles of men and women in your own culture? How have these roles come about? How do they compare to the roles in Haitian culture?

(see the answer keys)

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