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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 is the “Loa that Jes Grew here in America among our people” (p. 128)?

2. What does Moses do at Mt. Horeb?

3. What was the result of Pharaoh’s action?

4. How does Biff Musclewhite explain Charlotte’s confusion about what happened last night?

5. What does Earline’s scarf turn into, when Black Herman throws it on the floor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene of PaPaLaBas and Black Herman’s arrival at the party.

2. What request does Earline make to PaPaLaBas?

3. What does PaPaLaBas say is the future of the Jes Grew?

4. What does Battraville reveal to PaPaLaBas?

5. What happens when the box with the Book is brought into the party?

6. What prevents Hierophant 1 from taking poison?

7. What does Battraville say haunts White culture?

8. Why does Benoit Battraville say that the Americans are the ones to ask about the Jes Grew?

9. What was the meaning of Abdul Hamid’s epigram?

10. What is PaPaLaBas’ explanation for Abdul Hamid’s action?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What makes Mumbo Jumbo an American novel? How does Reed define America, and how is his definition of America sustained throughout the action of Mumbo Jumbo? How does Reed account for competing visions of what America is?

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of Mumbo Jumbo, Reed quotes Louis Armstrong as saying that “the spirit hits them and they follow.” (p. 7). What is the spirit, and where does it lead people in Mumbo Jumbo?

Essay Topic 3

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

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