View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the author of Possession?

2. According to Morrison, what do readers and writers struggle to interpret?

3. Where does Morrison claim to apply the knowledge in Playing in the Dark?

4. Morrison claims that she does not want to replace what with Afrocentric domination?

5. What accusations does Morrison accept the risk of when discussing studies of racism?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Morrison say about Africanism worldwide?

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

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

4. What does Morrison say Sapphira and the Slave Girl is an example of?

5. Describe The Words to Say It and its subject matter.

6. Describe the file that Morrison begins to keep.

7. How does Morrison view other writers?

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

9. Why doesn't Sapphira and the Slave Girl allow readers to ignore race?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is Poe considered to be the most important writer in terms of Africanism in early American literature? What does white imagery have to do with Poe's work?

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

According to Morrison, reading and writing are not very distinct for a writer, and they both require alertness and awareness of the writer's notions of risk and safety. Writers also fight for meaning and responsibility. Describe what Morrison means by this. Do you think she is right? Give an example of what Morrison means.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 753 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample