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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Nel marry?

2. How many colored women reside at the nursing home?

3. Who always overlooks the groom for work?

4. Who does Sula have a dream about after Nel leaves?

5. What does Nel practice asking when she goes to visit Sula?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The start of the novel is actually the ending, which makes the reader understand where the story is headed. What is the use of the ending at the beginning meant to say about the story? Does this beginning help to strengthen the story? Why or why not? Does this beginning weaken or strengthen the story? Why?

Essay Topic 2

What is Helene's grandmother trying to protect her from? What is this 'wild blood' that she refers to? Is Helene's grandmother successful? Why or why not? Why is it so important for Helene's grandmother to protect her granddaughter? Why does Helene want to avoid this life as well? How does Helene protect her daughter from this wild blood as well?

Essay Topic 3

When Sula has an affair with Jude, this seems to be the biggest blow to her friendship with Nel. Why did Sula have the affair in the first place? What is Nel's reaction? Why doesn't Jude go back to Nel? What does the affair seem to say about the dynamics between women and men as opposed to those between women?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 283 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample