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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 is Milkman becoming worried about?

2. Who is one of the members of this organization that eventually cannot not take it?

3. Regarding Hagar: The fact that she is so _____ to sleep with robs Milkman of the pleasure that should come with sex.

4. Who is trying to fly at the start of the novel?

5. Who is thought to have killed the white boy?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What makes Macon excited as Milkman is arguing his point in #25?

3. What is the surprise Milkman encounters when he goes to Susan Byrd's house?

4. Why did Pilate and Macon go into hiding?

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

6. What does Ruth tell her son about her own relationship with her father?

7. Why is Guitar having troubles with his assignment with The Seven Days?

8. What happened to Sing according to Susan?

9. What does Pilate do when she realizes Guitar and Milkman have stolen the green bag?

10. What is Guitar's reason for trying to kill Milkman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of images - ghosts, peacocks, cedar tree, etc. - that seem to pop up in this novel as symbols for something greater in terms of the novel's message.

Part 1 - List at least four symbols that occur in this story, where they occur, and who sees them.

Part 2 - What do you think each of these symbols mean for the story when they appear?

Part 3 - Do these symbols help to add to the story's message? Why or why not? What do you feel the overall message might be?

Essay Topic 2

The roles we take on in life are often not what we thought they would be - this is especially the case for many of the female characters in this novel.

Part 1 - List three characters in this novel who are not in the roles they wish they could be.

Part 2 - For each of the characters, describe what you think they would rather do with their lives. Why?

Part 3 - Does society dictate their roles or are they holding themselves back? Why did you answer the way you did?

Essay Topic 3

Names seem to be a significant part of this novel, giving the reader insights into the characters, their personalities and their motivations.

Part 1 - Name five characters and describe why you feel Morrison chose their names.

Part 2 - With these five names, are there any that don't seem to be appropriate for the characters? Why or why not?

Part 3 - Do you feel the Biblical names have any further significance in this story? What sets those characters apart from the others?

Part 4 - Some characters have more than one name. Please name these.

(see the answer keys)

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