View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Essie want to discuss with Laura?

2. What would be an accurate description as to how Laura is described in Chapter 3?

3. What central conflict does this chapter set up?

4. Who joins Chicken-Crow-For-Day in reciting sins?

5. What does Laura want from Essie the next morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think is the significance of Chapter 11's title "Ethiopian Eden"?

2. Why do you think Chapter 33 is titled "Watch with Me"?

3. Why is it ironic that Laura is trying to convince Essie to do something positive with her life?

4. How does Laura seem to have her moment of transformation as she comes to jail and confronts Essie?

5. 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?

6. Why do you think the drums always stop just before Laura makes her entrance?

7. How does the relationship between CJ and Marietta compare to that of Laura and Buddy in Chapters 26 and 27?

8. 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?

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

10. What two things are mentioned that have already been mentioned in previous chapters and what might be the significance of their being mentioned again?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The characters in TAMBOURINES TO GLORY are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. 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. Write an in-depth character analysis of Essie. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate her. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Laura. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate her. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Laura or Essie and write about them in relationship to both Laura and Essie. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 14, "Enter Buddy," a new character is introduced and one who has great influence on the events of the rest of the book. 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. Write an in-depth character analysis of Buddy. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Describe the process whereby Buddy gradually takes over much of the way the church is managed. How is he able to do this? What could Essie have done to stop him?

3. How could Buddy be likened to the serpent in the garden of Eden (unlike being compared to Adam as Buddy does so himself)?

4. Do you think Buddy deserves what he receives in the end? Explain fully with examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,521 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample