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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. How does the narrator feel about Modou taking a second wife?

2. Why does the narrator believe it is useless to try to revive the person in question 5?

3. What keeps Mawdo busy as a physician?

4. What is said out loud during the mourning rituals?

5. What does the narrator think of Aissatou's in-laws?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator learn of Modou's new wife and what is she told?

2. Describe the wake scene for Modou.

3. What is the response that many of those around Ramatoulaye have to the offer of marriage by Daouda and why?

4. What is Mawdo Bw's attitude towards his marriage and father-in-law?

5. Why is Farmata disappointed in how Ramatoulaye handles Aissatou's pregnancy?

6. What are some things Daouda does when he visits the narrator that implies his future offer of marriage?

7. What is Mawdo's response to Aissatou?

8. What is the overall tone of the end of this collection of letters?

9. Compare and contrast the second marriages of Mawdo and Modou.

10. How is Daouda Dieng significant to the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ramatoulaye writes of Daouda Dieng, the man her mother wanted her to marry, that he was a feminist. What does a man being a feminist mean? Give clear examples and details to support your thesis.

Is there any need in the world today for the concept of feminism? Why or why not--give examples and details to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Polygamy is against the law in the United States, but many other countries, including Senegal, allow men to have multiple wives but not wives having multiple husbands. What does it say about a culture that allows men to have several wives, but not the reverse and how do you think women are viewed in these countries? Should polygamy be controlled by law and what are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing polygamy?

Discuss the way you think a household with multiple wives would work, i.e., would one wife be in charge of the others and what about the children?

Essay Topic 3

Racism. Many countries have been greatly impacted by bigotry or racism. Some racism exists even among a single race--for example, lighter-skinned blacks feeling racist towards darker-skinned blacks. Research the psychological reasons that motivate racism. Are these the only reasons for racism? Do economics or class play a part in racism? Do you envision a day when racism truly no longer exists? Why or why not? Is enough being done in the United States towards eradicating racism? Why or

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