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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 does Morrison propose to investigate?

2. Which of the following does Morrison acknowledge?

3. In what role does Morrison describe herself as assuming nothing happens?

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

5. What is the name of Sapphira's slave?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Morrison describe the world that we live in today, and what effect does it have on her as a writer?

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

3. What are the prevalent themes in Sapphira and the Slave Girl?

4. What are Morrison's intentions in studying Africanism?

5. Describe the file that Morrison begins to keep.

6. What type of language does Morrison struggle with?

7. Describe the dichotomies Morrison presents as being necessary for black people to fulfill.

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

9. What does Morrison say about Africanism worldwide?

10. How does Morrison view other writers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Morrison points out the distinguishing features of non-Americans are slave status, social status, and color. Give three examples of these features in action throughout history.

Essay Topic 2

Why is it significant to note that Africanist literature has a presence all over the world and not just in the United States? What are the consequences of this fact? Why is it important for Morrison to note that her goal is not to force a Eurocentric world into becoming an Afrocentric one?

Essay Topic 3

In Morrison's Playing in the Dark, she discusses the dichotomies that black people are encouraged to fit into. Black people in literature are seen as markers for the benevolent and wicked, spiritual and voluptuous, sinful and enticing, and pure and restrained. Discuss an example of each of these dichotomies. Then explain why it is harmful for black people to be pushed into these roles constantly in literature.

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