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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. What is Milkman's job as he works with his father?

2. What does Hagar bring as the murder weapon for Milkman's murder?

3. In his dream, where does Milkman's mother go to visit her father?

4. What does Milkman realize Guitar is?

5. Where does Milkman find Guitar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which of the children actually enjoy the ritual in which the Dead family takes part on Sunday afternoons?

2. What is Susan's response to Milkman's questions about his grandmother, Sing?

3. What are Pilate and Milkman supposed to do with the bones Pilate found in the cave?

4. What does Milkman do to prove he is nothing like his father?

5. What does Milkman tell Pilate about the bones she found in the cave?

6. With what greeting does Pilate welcome Milkman upon his return?

7. What happens on the day that is assigned to Guitar?

8. What is the setup of The Seven Days? How does it work?

9. What is the cause of Guitar's new and strange habits?

10. What does Milkman realize when he tries to buy a present for Hagar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The ongoing debate over nature vs. the ideals of society is one that plays out in this novel, especially with those in the Dead family.

Part 1 - Compare and contrast Pilate and Macon. How do they live and how does this relate to society?

Part 2 - Do you feel society plays a large role in the decisions we make or does our upbringing play a larger role? Why?

Part 3 - Does society cause us to be who we are or does family? Give examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

It's no surprise that racism plays a large role in this novel, much as it does in many of Morrison's novels.

Part 1 - What is the relationship between the blacks and the whites in "The Song of Solomon?"

Part 2 - What are some examples of racism in this novel? Name and describe at least 3.

Part 3 - Does race hurt those in the story? How so? Give at least 2 examples.

Essay Topic 3

Pilate does something shocking when Milkman returns from speaking to Susan Byrd about Sing and his family. The reader is shocked at this point, but there is method to the madness.

Part 1 - What does Pilate do upon Milkman's arrival? What does this seem to say about Pilate's opinion of Milkman's actions?

Part 2 - Why does Pilate change her mind so quickly about Milkman's situation? What does this say about Pilate?

Part 3 - Why do you think Milkman is so certain Pilate will not kill him?

(see the answer keys)

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