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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. How do the children react to Sister Taylor's reprimands?

2. Why does Jim Weston get angry with Dave Carter in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. As the evening progresses, what games do the men on the porch play?

4. What explanation does Sister Thomas offer to explain Joe Clarke's decisions regarding the trial?

5. Why does Daisy come to the store?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why are the men all interested in the hock bone that Joe Lindsay brings to the store?

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

4. How do the different congregations react when the participants of the trial enter?

5. What does Sister Taylor mean when she says that "De bear is walkin' de earth lak a natural man"?

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

7. What does Sister Thomas keep saying she needs to do throughout Act 2, Scene 1? Why does it take so long for her to finally do it?

8. Why does Jim come to the conclusion that Dave was on his way to visit Daisy?

9. What evidence in Act 3 suggests that Dave and Jim still have a strong bond?

10. Why is Deacon Simms headed the wrong way when Sisters Taylor and Thomas see him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hughes and Hurston use a Southern dialect in the dialogue of the play in order to bring authenticity to the characters. Some of their contemporaries opposed this use of dialect, complaining that the characters are made to seem uneducated and simple. Even today, academics debate the use of dialect in this and other literary works. Defend or attack the authors' use of dialect in the play. Does dialect make the characters realistic, or is it demeaning to African-Americans from the South? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the play, adults behave like children, and children mirror the behavior of the adults. Explain how this circle of immature behavior creates a dysfunctional community. Provide examples from the text to support your points.

Essay Topic 3

Many people who read "Mule Bone" feel that the play should not be staged because of the satirical picture it presents of African-American life. Hughes and Hurston filled the play with exaggerated stereotypes in an attempt to allow African-Americans to laugh at themselves. To the authors, a culture can never truly be equal unless it has the freedom to laugh at itself. However, others feel -- even today -- that the play is demeaning and should not be given attention. Defend or attack the authors' position. Should the play be produced and staged? Why or why not? Provide examples from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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