View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What accusations does Morrison accept the risk of when discussing studies of racism?
(a) She has never studied racism.
(b) She has vested interest in the topic.
(c) She is racist.
(d) She has never studied literature.

2. Who is the author of What Maisie Knew?
(a) Henry James.
(b) Willa Cather.
(c) Gertrude Stein.
(d) Toni Morrison.

3. What does Morrison determine is the cause of Nancy's mother's lack of maternal love?
(a) Her hair color.
(b) Her personality.
(c) Her skin color.
(d) Her kindness.

4. Which group, according to Morrison, is more likely to claim that racism is neutral?
(a) Europeans.
(b) Americans.
(c) Asians.
(d) Africans.

5. What does Morrison see that the subject of the dream is?
(a) The symbolism of the dream.
(b) The dream itself.
(c) The action in the dream.
(d) The dreamer.

6. How many pages into The Words to Say It does "the thing" happen?
(a) 80.
(b) 40.
(c) 10.
(d) 120.

7. What does Morrison describe Sapphira and the Slave Girl as being an example of?
(a) Willful critical blindness.
(b) Urgency in American literature.
(c) Fulfilling language and lackluster art.
(d) Immediate Africanist presence.

8. What does Morrison reflect on the consequences of in the preface?
(a) Modern music.
(b) Jazz music.
(c) Contemporary novels.
(d) Classic literature.

9. What does Morrison believe we need to learn about to discover the nature and cause of literary whiteness?
(a) Who invented Africanism.
(b) Why we read American fiction.
(c) How Africanism functions.
(d) Why we rely on Africanism in literature.

10. What is American literature described as being in Playing in the Dark?
(a) A bookshelf.
(b) A closet.
(c) A melting pot.
(d) A treasure trove.

11. When did Morrison read The Words to Say It?
(a) 1988.
(b) 1990.
(c) 1978.
(d) 1983.

12. For Morrison, when a writer is challenged and activities are more difficult, what else do they become?
(a) Less significant.
(b) More rewarding.
(c) Less valuable.
(d) More exciting.

13. In what role does Morrison describe herself as assuming nothing happens?
(a) Writer.
(b) Reader.
(c) European.
(d) Black woman.

14. What are references to Sapphira and the Slave Girl noted as being?
(a) Lackluster.
(b) Spiteful.
(c) Demeaning.
(d) Apologetic.

15. How many lectures is Playing in the Dark based on?
(a) 3.
(b) 7.
(c) 5.
(d) 1.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Morrison wonder most about Cardinal?

2. Who is the author of Possession?

3. What does Morrison claim that critics do not say about Sapphira and the Slave Girl?

4. What is an example of the concept of black figuration?

5. Who did Morrison thank for helping her with the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 436 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample