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. What does Sister Taylor do to end the argument with the sassy young girl?

2. How does Deacon Lindsay respond to Sister Taylor's and Sister Thomas' actions in Act 1, Scene 2?

3. Why does Daisy return to the store in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. What does Sister Taylor think of Mrs. Blunt's reaction to the trial and the associated gossip?

5. How do the men at the store react to Mrs. Roberts' plight?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Sister Thomas, why is Joe Clarke siding with the Baptists in the fight over Jim's trial?

2. Why does Daisy refuse to follow Jim and wander on without direction in Act 3?

3. What do the other characters think of Mrs. Roberts?

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

5. What evidence throughout Act 2, Scene 2, suggests that Joe Clarke is unfamiliar with court procedures?

6. How do Jim's and Dave's attitudes toward Daisy change at the end of Act 3?

7. Why does Jim turn his back on Daisy after she offers him a job and a place to go?

8. Describe Reverend Childers' successful prosecution argument. How does he convince Joe Clarke that Jim is guilty of assault with a weapon?

9. Compare the fight among the children to the fight between Sister Taylor and Joe Lindsay.

10. What reason does Sister Thomas give to support why they should all testify for Jim at the trial?

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

Because of the falling out between the authors, "Mule Bone" is actually an unfinished play. Review the play and critique it. What changes would you suggest to improve upon the current version? Look at the notes about name changes as well. What versions of names would you use? How would you change or enhance some scenes? Be sure to refer to specific sections and examples as you discuss the play.

Essay Topic 3

Several characters in "Mule Bone" prove themselves to be hypocritical through their comments and/or their actions. Describe those characters who could be defined as hypocritical and explain how they contribute to the humor of the play.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,146 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample