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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. What would be a general description of Laura?

2. What do the two say about Essie?

3. What is Essie's opinion of Laura's lifestyle?

4. What is Laura planning?

5. Of what is Laura still jealous?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 20, Laura gives some details about her early childhood; in what way is Laura the same as her mother?

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

4. What do you think one of the main themes might be just based upon the differences in the two major characters as shown in this opening chapter?

5. What might have changed the course of Laura's life if Essie had thrown the knife away when Chicken-Crow-For-Day throws away his weapons in Chapter 12?

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

7. How does Laura "fight unfair" in Essie and Laura's argument in Chapter 13?

8. Which woman would you support in the argument about what to do with their first 2,000 dollars and why?

9. What do you think is the significance of the title of Chapter 17, "Lights Out"?

10. How do you think the classic Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare seems to be a good metaphor for what is happening in Essie and Laura's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Chapter 15, "Enter Marty" introduces a new dimension to Essie and Laura's ministry. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Does it surprise you that a white man is the power behind "the throne" in Harlem in this time period? Explain. Explain the term "the throne" and the irony involved.

2. Why do you think the "Negroes" (the term for Blacks in that era) put up with a white man running the show on their turf? Do you think they eventually change that?

3. Who do you think runs the "throne" in Harlem now? Is the power in white or black hands or both? Or some other?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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