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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 the aftermath of the theft, where was Lymon shot?

2. After Lymon comes home from work and changes, what does he want to go into the city looking for?

3. What beverage do the men drink while discussing Parchman Prison?

4. Which character states that the law of the white man is meaningless, and he has created a new set of laws?

5. Doaker works for what type of transportation?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Wining Boy arrives at Doaker's home, he wants to know what is happening with Boy Willie and his sales. What does Doaker tell him?

2. How does Avery believe Sutter died, and what reasoning does he give to back up his argument?

3. How do Boy Willie and Lymon end up in Pittsburgh?

4. What confrontation do Boy Willie and Berniece get into as Boy Willie watches Berniece comb Maretha's hair?

5. What events have prompted Doaker to believe that Berniece should sell the piano as soon as possible?

6. How does Berniece find out that Boy Willie intends to remove the piano that day, and how does she respond?

7. What religious rationalization does Boy WIllie have for the revenge he is seeking against the Sutter family?

8. What happens when Berniece threatens Boy Willie with the gun?

9. How does Avery begin his exorcism of Sutter's ghost?

10. What does Lymon tell Berniece he is looking for in a woman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because of the history of slavery within the Charles family, there is another prevalent theme of revenge, since the men in the Charles family desire to steal back what was stolen from them by the Sutters.

Part 1. Briefly describe one scene of revenge within the play.

Part 2. Explain why the Charles family member acting on revenge thought that this would earn them back what was stolen.

Part 3. Explain the outcome of the revengeful act. In your opinion. Was it worth the risk of being caught?

Essay Topic 2

The exorcism in the final scene of the play proves to be a powerful symbol for the way that the family has chosen to move forward. Create a list of three things that the exorcism symbolizes in the play. Choose two characters and explain how their roles were pivotal in the success of the final exorcism.

Essay Topic 3

The piano itself is arguably the strongest symbol in the entire play. Explain the history of the piano and briefly discuss why the physical structure of the piano can be seen as a symbol within the Charles family.

(see the answer keys)

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