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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 does Bert refuse to do when he hears the Colonel coming?

2. Who arrives as Sallie departs?

3. How does Bert react to their explanation?

4. For what does Sallie want to thank Norwood?

5. Why does he try to do this, regarding his position?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does William do when he arrives?

2. Who does Bert know will be coming? What are his plans?

3. What is happening outside? What does Bert do?

4. How does the second act begin?

5. What sparks an argument between Bert and Norwood?

6. What does Bert plan to do to himself?

7. What does the Undertaker do when Cora enters?

8. What happens as Talbot enters?

9. What does Cora tell him to do?

10. What does Cora try to do, one more time, regarding Bert?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters walk a fine line regarding the parentage of Cora's children.

Part 1) How do they each walk a fine line? Why do they walk a fine line?

Part 2) Do others in the community do the same as well? Why or why not?

Part 3) What is the purpose for this denial? How does this denial affect the plot of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Bert went to school in the north and has spent time in large cities.

Part 1) How has this experience changed him? Is this a positive changed? Why or why not?

Part 2) Why does Norwood allow Bert to do this? How does this reflect Norwood's behavior towards his mulatto children?

Part 3) What role does this experience play in his relationship with his family and Norwood? What is the purpose of Bert's experiences in relation to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Bet kills Norwood?

Part 1) Why? How? How does Bert feel about his actions?

Part 2) What foreshadowed this event? Are you surprised by this event? Why or why not?

Part 3) How might audiences in the 1930s have reacted to this? How might audiences today react? Compare and contrast their reactions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 643 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample