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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 Sister Thomas think of Mrs. Blunt's reaction to the trial and the associated gossip?

2. Where is the notice of Jim Weston's trial displayed?

3. How do the men at the store react to Daisy's arrival?

4. What do the men at the store begin to talk about after Jim Weston and Dave Carter arrive?

5. How does Daisy respond to the question of whether she prefers Jim Weston or Dave Carter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jim react to meeting Daisy as she is on her way back to town?

2. How do Jim and Dave react to the squabbling among the people at the trial?

3. What request does Mrs. Blunt make concerning the trial? How is her request received by Joe Clarke?

4. What complaint does Walter make about Baptist theology?

5. Describe the nature of the disagreement between Sisters Taylor and Lewis.

6. Why are people confused by the ringing of the church bell?

7. Why does Sister Taylor want to testify at the trial even though she was not present at the fight?

8. Why is Lum Boger unable to testify about the fight between Dave and Jim?

9. Describe Elder Simms' attitude toward the people of the town.

10. How does the ending of the play confirm that Jim and Dave have reconciled their friendship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ironically, the disagreement between Dave and Jim in some ways mirrors the falling out between the authors. While Dave and Jim fight over a girl, Hughes and Hurston fought over the play itself. Compare and contrast the disagreements between these two pairs. What do these details reveal about the friendships? You may use the essays included in the Harper Perennial edition to help with this topic.

Essay Topic 2

Aside from the satire and the description of small-town life, "Mule Bone" is also a play about the strength of a friendship. Analyze the strength of Jim's and Dave's friendship. What challenges does their friendship survive, and what allows their friendship to survive these challenges? Provide evidence from the text to support your observations.

Essay Topic 3

From beginning to end, Act 3 is much more about Jim's and Dave's relationship than it is about Daisy's relationship with either of the men. Prove this observation by providing and analyzing evidence that reflects the importance of their relationship to the scene.

(see the answer keys)

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