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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. As she exists the train on her way to the butcher shop, how does Lutie account for many of her problems?

2. What type of business does Mrs. Hedges run?

3. How does Min feel after visiting the root doctor?

4. Why does the author choose to use animals to represent the neighborhood people in Lutie's nightmare?

5. What does Jones discover when he gets home from Lutie's?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, what idea does the author hope to represent with the shrinking canary, dog, and woman in Jones' apartment?

2. After reading Chapter 5, it is clear what motivates Min. Using the knowledge you've gained about Min, compare her to Lutie. How do the women differ? What characteristics do they share?

3. Chapter 5 is written from Min's point of view. Why has the author chosen to use different narrators?

4. In Lutie's dream, she is the one being asked to "unloose" the neighborhood people. Why has Lutie has been given this charge in the dream?

5. Chapter 1 outlines the dynamics of Lutie's household. Lutie's father's girlfriend, Lil, has Bub lighting her cigarettes and tasting her gin. How does Lil's behavior reflect and amplify Lutie's fears for her son?

6. How does the stolen purse incident reflect the theme of the book?

7. Chapter 1 opens with the description of a cold and windy day in New York City. Why might the author have chosen to describe the wind through personification?

8. How does chapter 3 illustrate the racism and sexism faced by Lutie? Provide at least 1 example of each.

9. Chapter 4 more clearly depicts Jones' obsession with Lutie. In fact, "she made him more aware of his loneliness that ate into him day and night." How might Lutie's mere appearance open up such a void in Jones?

10. Jones becomes enraged when he looks at Bub and imagines that the boy resembles his father. Why do you think this is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Street presents the reader with several conflicted characters--characters who exhibit both honorable and deplorable qualities. Consider the characters and their conflicting qualities. It may be helpful to outline your ideas. Once you've completed the outline, write a brief essay analyzing these characters. In addition, give your opinion on Petry's choice to employ such characters.

Essay Topic 2

Beginning as far back as Chapter 1, Lutie demonstrates the capacity to wander in and out of reality. She often fantasizes about things that aren't there and even questions the reliability of her sight. In an essay, identify several instances that exemplify Lutie's tendency to fantasize. Does this tendency inform her ability to commit murder? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Considering the context of the book and the author's ideas on sexism, racism, and poverty, do you think Lutie ever had a chance at success? If she had been able to escape the role of murderer, do you think she would have made it off "The Street"? Explain your response and support it with details from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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