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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 Birdie Lee?

2. Over what do the women argue in Chapter 7?

3. To whom does Laura liken many of her personality traits?

4. What does Essie think Laura should be thinking?

5. What do the two say about Essie?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what might the serpent with eyes that sparkle like diamonds in Chapter 11 be symbolic?

2. What rationale does Laura use to try to convince Essie to start a church with her and does it seem a reasonable rationale?

3. What is ironic about the name of the man Laura meets in Chapter 14?

4. How do you think Marietta feels having been raised in the rural South to arrive in Harlem and find an older, very attractive man flirting with her?

5. How is the title of Chapter 28 also relevant in the relationship between Laura and Essie?

6. How does previous foreshadowing play out in Chapter 30?

7. Assuming many images in a short novel such as this one can be significant, of what do you think Essie's knife could be symbolic?

8. What image at the end of this chapter is particularly striking and tells much about Laura?

9. Do you believe Buddy really is upset that Essie does seem to believe his conversion is sincere?

10. Why do you think Essie refuses to throw away her knife as Laura urges her to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Getting the most out of this novel requires some familiarity with the environment of Harlem during this era. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What was Harlem? Who settled it originally and when did it become a predominantly African American borough?

2. How does Harlem of today differ from the Harlem at the time of the novel? How do you think this novel would be different if set in modern-day Harlem?

3. How does the setting of Harlem inform the plot and actions of this novel? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 17, "Lights Out" is significant in that it is where Laura begins to make choices that set her on the path that leads out of the Garden of Eden. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How is the title of this chapter symbolic of where Laura is in her life by the end of this chapter?

2. What are some actions Laura takes that show her descent into darkness? Could she have avoided them or was she already too far into the grips of greed and addictions?

3. What do you think Marty would have done if Laura had changed her mind at any point in the book and chosen a path of greater integrity for her role in the church?

4. How do you think Marty responds to Laura's absence from the church and his source of funds being dried up? Do you think Essie has a fight on her hands?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout the novel. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Trace the development of the redemption theme. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of how this theme impacts the lives of two characters.

2. Trace the development of the theme of addiction. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the how addiction manifests in character personalities and in the physical setting.

3. Trace the development of the theme of violence. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is important to the novel's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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