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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. Where has Sarny observed people reading prior to meeting John?

2. In Chapter 1, Sarny says that some believed she brought Nightjohn to the plantation by what manner?

3. Where does Sarny demonstrate the "letters" that she discovered on the feed sack for John in Chapter 3?

4. What material does Mammy make John's pants from in Chapter 3?

5. To whom does Mammy pray when Sarny witnesses her in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the trade that John offers to make with Sarny in Chapter 3? How does Sarny feel about the offer?

2. When is the first time that Sarny describes hearing the word "free" in Chapter 2? What were her perceptions of this word?

3. What does Sarny overhear from the white house while she works in Chapter 2?

4. What does Sarny describe thinking about as the others sleep in the slave quarters at night in Chapter 1?

5. How is Sarny's relationship with Mammy illustrated in Chapter 1? How does Mammy feel about the other children she cares for?

6. How would you describe the narrator of the story? Is the narrator directly involved in the action of the narrative?

7. What is the significance of John's scars when he first appears? Why do you think Waller chose John despite those scars?

8. How does the author describe the regulations and rules regarding slaves and religion in Chapter 2?

9. What work is Sarny doing on the plantation in the beginning of Chapter 2? How does she feel about this chore?

10. What does Mammy measure on the sticks that she keeps for each child on the plantation? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the “barter” made between John and Sarny when they first meet. How does bartering or trading relate to the theme of monetary value in the novel? What does Sarny trade with John in order to learn “letters”? What does John gain from the arrangement?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character of Mammy, or Old Delie, in the novel. About how old do you imagine Mammy to be? What is Mammy’s essential function on Waller’s plantation? How would you describe the bond between Sarny and Mammy?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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