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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 does Coalhouse plan to kidnap and exchange for Willie Conklin?

2. What finally really captures Morgan's attention in the world?

3. Why does he insist on living a grand style in Europe?

4. What is Father's relationship with Mother after he returns from the Arctic?

5. Who shows up driving a new Model-T in front of The Boy's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Morgan's buildings on Madison Avenue in Murray Hill.

2. That spring, what happens at the Matteawan State Prison Farm?

3. Why does J. P. Morgan want to meet with Henry Ford?

4. What causes Younger Brother to run out of the parlor one evening after dinner?

5. Why does Father return alone to New York, leaving the family in Atlantic City.

6. What suddenly worries Sarah after the Fire House incident?

7. What happens on Houdini's tour of Europe?

8. After Coalhouse arranges for his gang to escape, what happens to him?

9. What is keeping Father busy that summer?

10. How have the fortunes of Tateh and The girl changed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper about the transformation of Tateh in the novel from the time he was scandalized by his wife and Evelyn until he romps on the beach in Atlantic City. Discuss what you think makes the transformation. Is there a tendency for the poor to be judgmental of the morals of the rich? If so, why? How does affluence change a persons attitude toward all things in society? What are the good and bad points of such changes?

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper explaining the difference between an anarchist and a socialist. These strange bedfellows come together in the meeting Tateh takes Evelyn to. Anarchists oppose any form of government and socialists promote total government control. Explain why Tateh did not agree with anarchism or communism. Why was he a socialist? Then decide if his later affluence changed his political ideas and why.

Essay Topic 3

Look up information of minstrel shows which were popular in America from the late 1800s through the 1930s. Describe them and give your opinion about them as entertainment. Even Scott Joplin performed in minstrel shows during his lifetime. Al Jolson, a Jewish man, became famous blacking his face and performing in minstrels. It was of course a demeaning representation of black people as a whole and contributed to the stereotype of the race that went on into the movies until the late 1950s. Discuss how much you think such entertainments delayed the civil rights movement in America.

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