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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. In whose memory is Nightjohn dedicated by the author in the opening pages?
2. In what year did the United States Congress pass a Slave Trade Act which prohibited the building or outfitting of ships in the U.S. for use in the slave trade?
3. What is foreshadowed by Sarny's story about finding the coin in the dirt in Chapter 2?
4. How does Sarny describe the financial circumstances of the master's family in Chapter 2?
5. What word from Chapter 3 refers to a gourd used for eating or drinking?
Short Essay Questions
1. What imagery and/or symbolism is used in describing the slaves on the plantation in Chapter 2?
2. How does Sarny describe the process of meals for the slaves at the plantation in Chapter 3?
3. Why were slaves forbidden education historically? How is this depicted in the novel?
4. What is significant about the animal imagery that is seen in Chapter 3?
5. What does Mammy measure on the sticks that she keeps for each child on the plantation? Why?
6. How does John behave toward the other slaves after his arrival in Chapter 3?
7. How is Sarny's character introduced to the reader in Chapter 1? What does Sarny say brought Nightjohn to her?
8. What intrigues and inspires Sarny to want to learn to read and write? What risks does she take in doing so?
9. How does the author describe the regulations and rules regarding slaves and religion in Chapter 2?
10. What is foreshadowed by Sarny's description of the penny that she once found in Chapter 2?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the theme of education in Nightjohn. What is the importance and/or the danger of reading for the slaves, according to John? Historically, how accurate is John’s perception? Does the author present a favorable view of education? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
Analyze the character of Sarny as the protagonist and narrator of Nightjohn. How does Sarny describe her role in the story in Chapter 1? What aspects of Sarny’s character stand out for you as a reader? How old is Sarny’s character when she is first introduced? How does Sarny’s character evolve in the course of the story?
Essay Topic 3
Analyze and discuss the narrative style of Nightjohn. Who is the narrator of the story? Is the narrator involved in the action of the narrative? In what tense is the narrative related? Why do you think that the author chose this narrative style? How would the story differ if it were told from a different point of view?
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This section contains 957 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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