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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What book discusses certain kinds of readings that seem inextricable from certain experiences of writing and knowledge?
(a) The Words to Say It.
(b) Preludes IV.
(c) Possession.
(d) Playing in the Dark.

3. Which type of artist does Morrison describe as being the most anarchic?
(a) Readers.
(b) Photographers.
(c) Painters.
(d) Writers.

4. What is assumed about literature much of the time, in Morrison's point of view?
(a) American literature is unshaped by slavery.
(b) American literature is only read by Americans.
(c) American literature is worthless for black Americans.
(d) American literature is unshaped by black presence.

5. What does Morrison propose to investigate?
(a) Racial superiority.
(b) Racial bias.
(c) Racial exclusivity.
(d) Racial hierarchy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is true about Africanism around the world?

2. Who is the second author Morrison mentions as including black references in his or her work?

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

4. Which of the following best describes Marie Cardinal?

5. What does Morrison debate the validity of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which authors does Morrison describe as using black references in their work?

2. What type of language does Morrison struggle with?

3. Until recently, what did Morrison assume about all readers of American fiction?

4. What matters seem to challenge most as a writer and what effect does this have on her?

5. Describe Morrison's statement that the subject of the dream is the dreamer.

6. Who does Morrison blame for literary whiteness and blackness?

7. What does Morrison hope that studies of racism will begin to examine?

8. What implication stems from the fact that imagination produces work?

9. How does Morrison describe references to the novel Sapphira and the Slave Girl?

10. What does Morrison believe studies of racism focus on?

(see the answer keys)

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