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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. As to Clare's motives, Irene is
(a) Trusting.
(b) Hopeful.
(c) Understanding.
(d) Suspicious.

2. What feelings come up for Irene when remembering her visit with Clare in Chicago
(a) Shame and sadness.
(b) Love and longing.
(c) Anger and humiliation.
(d) Old ties of friendship.

3. What is the implication that surrounds Clare's rich white male companions?
(a) They are paying a good price for Clare's company.
(b) They find Clare to be a hard worker.
(c) They pay Clare for housekeeping.
(d) They find Clare to be a good dancer.

4. Irene is determined to keep her life
(a) Peaceful and serene.
(b) Wild and carefree.
(c) Spontaneous and fun.
(d) Orderly and managed.

5. Helga makes the decision while she is still bedridden to
(a) Flee to Naxos.
(b) Leave Pastor Green.
(c) Commit suicide.
(d) Re-commit to the church.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Clare's stationery say about her?

2. When it comes to Clare's motives, Irene is

3. Why is Irene offended by Clare's use of a PO Box for a return address?

4. Helga marries Pleasant Green and moves to

5. What is the trait of Clare's that gossipers have mentioned to Irene?

Short Essay Questions

1. Things have taken a turn for the worse at the Redfields'. What are the clues that the story is inching toward a conclusion as it pertains to the Redfields and Clare Kendry? What conclusions can we draw about this section of the story?

2. How does this time in Helga's life compare to other times? Is it similar or different? In what ways?

3. What is it that has kept Clare from leaving her husband and living permanently in Harlem?

4. What is odd about the initial meeting among Irene, Gertrude and Clare? Are these conversations typical among women friends? What, if anything, makes the visit among the three women unusual?

5. What is the author's intention when she puts the two women together in the hotel restaurant scene? What conclusions can we draw from Irene's memory of that day?

6. What is your initial assessment of Clare Kendry? Do we know enough about her in these first two chapters to draw any conclusions about her? If so, what would they be?

7. After two years pass, Clare again wants to become involved in Irene's life. Is Irene's reaction negative or positive? Explain her reaction.

8. Discuss how giving birth to her fourth child seems to be Helga's breaking point. Why does this happen? What does the death of her infant symbolize?

9. Is there anything we can deduce about Irene's response to Clare's letter without knowing the whole story? If so, what are they?

10. What role, if any, does Clare's husband play in the story so far? Is he a comforting presence? Why, or why not? Is he a likable character?

(see the answer keys)

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