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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. Who welcomes Mavis at the Convent without judging or questioning her?

2. What story does Mavis tell the reporter?

3. What was the former profession of the old woman Connie tends?

4. Who is in charge of operations at the Convent?

5. Who takes Mavis to get gasoline for her car?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Deek tell Roger to make sure all part's of Deek's son's funeral were black?

2. Why do the men from Ruby go to the Convent?

3. Why is the town of Ruby not a place that attracts travelers?

4. When Gigi accepts a ride from Roger Best, what are her plans at that time?

5. Why do some of the residents leave Haven to found the town of Ruby?

6. Why did Seneca go to Wichita, and why was the trip unproductive?

7. Why did the founders of Ruby decide to name the town Ruby instead of New Haven?

8. Why does Mavis become frightened during the interview, and why does she decide to flee?

9. What is one of the things the Morgan twins probably consider when they are trying to decide what to do about Arnette's pregnancy?

10. Why is there instant animosity between Mavis and Gigi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

On multiple occasions the civil authority in the area of Ruby is referred to as the "white law." The "white law" is something no citizen of Ruby wants to come in contact with. Explain what citizens of Ruby mean by "white law" and offer explanations based on information from the text and your own knowledge of history about why citizens of Ruby would fear the "white law."

Essay Topic 2

Describe Morrison's or the narrator's use of language in the novel "Paradise". Is the language elevated to the poetic or is it the everyday language of the rural people of Ruby?

Essay Topic 3

Though the Morgan's are the wealthiest and most powerful people in Ruby, that is not to say that they have not faced their own hardships. Indeed, the Morgans have endured heartbreaking loses. Outline some of these loses and offer theories on why the loses did or did not affect the Morgan's views on race relations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 782 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample