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

2. How many pages into The Words to Say It does "the thing" happen?

3. When was a criticism written deeming the term "darky" acceptable?

4. What did Cardinal tell her doctor not to keep in his office?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Morrison, what does a black woman represent to literature but not to herself?

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

4. Describe the character Sapphira and her motives.

5. To Morrison, why are reading and writing not extremely distinct for a writer?

6. What does Toni Morrison think about Marie Cardinal's book?

7. What is the book Playing in the Dark based on?

8. What risk does Morrison accept in discussing studies of racism?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Morrison decide to read The Words to Say It? What effect did the book have on Morrison? What questions does Morrison have for Marie Cardinal and why are these significant?

Essay Topic 2

Morrison states that she struggles with language that evokes hidden signals of racial superiority and that her vulnerability lies in romanticizing blackness. What does this mean? What does this tell the reader about Morrison and about literature? Give an example of hidden signals of racial superiority and romanticizing a race.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the difference between denotative and connotative definitions involving the term Africanism. Describe both definitions. Then explain the denotative and connotative definitions of another term that Morrison uses in response to American literature.

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