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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who do the hunting men say that Milkman should visit?

2. Who is the only family member who visibly shows up at the funeral in this chapter?

3. What does the new job holder say the job is in order to save face?

4. How long must Milkman wait before being able to go where he needs to go?

5. Where does Milkman buy the used car?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of love is a strange one in this novel as it seems to be out of proportion for the relationships that are described.

Part 1 - Describe Macon's love for Ruth.

Part 2 - Describe Ruth's love for her son and for her father.

Part 3 - Describe Hagar's love for Milkman.

Part 4 - What do these examples of love seem to indicate about the novel's ideas of love? Is love a good thing? A bad thing? A strange thing? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The attempt to fly is just one of the ways Morrison symbolizes the characters' need to escape from their conditions.

Part 1 - Describe the opening scene with Robert Smith and why he decided he wanted to fly away.

Part 2 - What is the significance of the story of Solomon the Flying Man? What does it mean for the rest of the characters?

Part 3 - Why do you think Milkman decides to fly as well at the end of the story? Is it a sign that he has given up or is it a sign of strength? Support your answer.

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This section contains 373 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample