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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. Why did Avey try to have a miscarriage when she was pregnant with Marion?

2. How does Jay react to Avey's reproaches about infidelity?

3. Who is the main character in the novel?

4. How does Avey approach Jay on the question of infidelity?

5. What is the name of the island where all the native people are going?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the premise of this novel?

2. How did Jay and Avey's life begin to take a turn for the better?

3. How does Avey recall the changes that turned Jay into Jerome?

4. Describe how Jay works hard to provide for his family at the expense of his own soul.

5. What were Avey's daughters' opinions of Avey going on the Caribbean cruise?

6. Why does Avey feel guilty about reminiscing about the days spent at the Halsey Street apartment?

7. What legend did Great Aunt Cuney tell Avey about the African Ibos?

8. Whose transformation begins in Chapter 3 after Avey and Jay's big fight?

9. How does Avey try to sort out the mess she seems to be in at the harbor?

10. What does Avey learn from the taxi driver about what all the commotion is about with the people at the harbor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Renewal takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Marshall use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Avey's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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