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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 does Jim Weston jump up to fight Dave Carter in Act 1, Scene 1?

2. What information does Sister Taylor share with Lum Boger in Act 1, Scene 2?

3. According to Deacon Lindsay, what does Sister Taylor smell like?

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

5. What complaint does Deacon Simms have about snakes?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Daisy's reaction to Dave's and Jim's fight.

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

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

5. How do the men of the town suggest that Mrs. Roberts be dealt with?

6. How do the women's attitudes toward Daisy differ from the men's?

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

8. What excuse does Dave offer to prove that he is not on his way to visit Daisy?

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

10. What does the crowd on the porch suggest to Dave and Jim about Daisy's intentions, and how do the men respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the use of tall tales in "Mule Bone." Why are tall tales used in the play and how are they received by other characters? What are the circumstances around the telling of a tall tale? What role does the tall tale seem to play? Be sure to use specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

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This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample