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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 does Essie want to do with the money?

2. Where does Essie say that the spark to convert has to come from?

3. What does Laura do to keep the cops from stopping the preaching because of no license?

4. How does Essie clean her nails?

5. What does Essie do when Laura inspires her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does it say about Laura as a person to send Marietta downstairs to get Essie knowing what Marietta will find?

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

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

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

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

6. A psychological aberration is a person who is called a sociopath. A very loose definition would be someone unconcerned with the consequences of his/her actions on others and who rationalize their actions. Who seems to have sociopathic tendencies as shown in chapter 10 and why do you say that?

7. Do you think Essie is turning a blind eye to Laura giving out "lucky texts" from the pulpit, or do you think she really believes Laura is just trying to give the congregation hope?

8. The theme of greed is woven throughout the entire book. How is the theme is clearly introduced in Chapter 9?

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

10. There are two things that Essie mentions that foreshadow future events. Name two possible things that foreshadow future events and what you think they might foreshadow.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Chapter 12, "Dyed in the Wool" is a very significant theme in this novel. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research and explain the phrase "dyed in the wool." Where did it come from? What century? What was its original meaning? What has it come to mean now as an aphorism?

2. How does this phrase describe Essie at the beginning of the book? Is it still applicable to her at the end? Explain with examples.

3. How does this phrase describe Laura at the beginning of the book? Is it still applicable to her at the end? Explain with examples.

4. How can the phrase "dyed in the wool" be either a positive characteristic of someone or a negative? Give a couple examples from your own life.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment is contrasted to Laura's quest for physical/material gratification. 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. Compare and contrast the concepts of spiritual fulfillment versus physical/material gratification using both examples from the book and in your own experience.

2. Describe fully Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

3. Describe fully Laura's search for physical/material gratification, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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