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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 Karaga supposed to be involved in the next day?

2. With which of Munira's sibling was the only one he got along?

3. What was the nationality of the man who opened Abdulla's shop?

4. Why can Wanja not be arrested?

5. For what does the second officer apologize?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the newspaper say about the murder?

2. How does Munira react to Wanja and Karega's love affair?

3. Describe Wanja's experience with a European man.

4. What reason does Munira give for opening a school in the town?

5. Why do the police officers treat Munira so respectfully?

6. Describe the villagers' argument about Abdullah's donkey.

7. Describe Munira's relationship with Lilian.

8. Describe Karega's experience on Theng'eta.

9. Who are Mzigo, Chui and Kimeria?

10. Describe how Abdullah built his shop into a worthy business.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Thiongo use character and dialogue to drive his narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character examine the way Thiongo uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Thiongo's writing style. How would you describe Thiongo's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Thiongo's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Petals of Blood is written in the third person. Why do you think Thiongo chose to write the story in the third person? How do you think the meaning of the story would have changed if it were written in the first person? What difference does it make to the story that Thiongo is one of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 791 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample