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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Jim Weston think that the "mess and stink" was all for nothing?

2. Why is the church bell rung?

3. How do the women react when Lum Boger comes back to quiet them?

4. What is the setting of Act 2, Scene 2?

5. What clue in their verbal competition for Daisy suggests that Dave Carter and Jim Weston have put aside their differences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the importance of satire in the play. Where do the authors include satire, and what aspects of society are they criticizing? How effective are their attempts at satire? Provide examples from the text to support your point.

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This section contains 463 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample