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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. Boy Willie complains that Lymon is obsessed with what?

2. What sound is heard by the characters who attempt to move the piano?

3. Who does the grocery shopping in the Charles home?

4. What were the men attempting to steal?

5. What does Boy Willie hope to buy from Sutter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does Berniece play in the exorcism of Sutter's ghost?

2. What connection does Doaker make between travel and happiness?

3. What happens when Boy Willie continues to insist that he be told the name of the prospective buyer for the piano?

4. When Berniece and Lymon's conversation turns to Avery, what advice does Lymon give to Berniece about the relationship?

5. What does Boy Willie claim is the history of the railroad known as the Yellow Dog line?

6. How did Avery get the idea to switch his profession to preacher?

7. What does Berniece ask Avery to do after Maretha has seen Sutter's ghost, and how does Avery respond?

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

9. What kind of fight does Boy Willie get into with Sutter's ghost?

10. How did the piano come into the possession of the Charles family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The railroads of the town are extremely significant throughout the play.

Part 1. Explain the symbolism of a railroad as it pertains to Boy Willie's life.

Part 2. Explain the reasons why the railroad is important in Doaker's life.

Part 3. Explain why the railroad has come to be an important element in the supernatural elements of the play.

Essay Topic 2

Music is another way for the Charles family to preserve their family history.

Part 1. Create a list of three scenes within the play during which music is present.

Part 2. Explain why the music of the play acts as a symbol of the Charles family history.

Part 3. Choose two characters from the Charles family and compare / contrast their relationship to music. This comparison could be regarding the piano music or the family singing.

Essay Topic 3

The women in this play are portrayed as weak in comparison to the men in the play. Choose one female character in the play and give two examples of the ways that they are overpowered by the male characters. Then, discuss the female character's reaction to the overpowering male characters.

(see the answer keys)

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