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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 is Essie's opinion of Laura's lifestyle?

2. What is Laura clutching at the end of the chapter as the two women make a decision?

3. How does Essie clean her nails?

4. What does Laura think Essie will think of Buddy and Laura's plan?

5. Why does Laura hire an artist?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think CJ's initial motives are in trying to get Marietta to make love with him and why do you think that changes?

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

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

4. Why do you think something that seems such a minor detail should be mentioned, such as the fact that Birdie is always running to the bathroom?

5. Why do you think any more information about Laura's fate is not offered in this final chapter?

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

7. What does Laura suggest near the end of chapter eight that seems to set the dynamics of how Essie and Laura participate in the "church" and what do you think might be the consequences?

8. What is ironic about Laura's thoughts about Buddy in Chapter 30?

9. What do you think is the symbolism of the rock mentioned in Chapter 3?

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

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

Street Corner preaching is a tradition that started at the time of Christ and still continues to be done in many places both in the United States and other countries. Essie and Laura begin their ministry as street-corner preachers. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define street-corner preaching? Do Essie and Laura fit your definition?

2. What are possible advantages and disadvantages of street-corner preaching? Was Essie and Laura's method of street-corner preaching effective?

3. Besides religion, what other ways is street-corner preaching used today? Would you stop and listen to a street-corner preacher? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In many ways, Laura is a much more complex character than Essie. She exhibits a wider range of emotions and makes more paradoxical choices. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Going through the book, find various emotions which Laura expresses and discuss several of them and their causes and resolutions.

2. What emotions do you think ultimately leads to Laura's downfall? What emotions do you see in her that could have turned her from the choices she makes and her attendant downfall?

3. Discuss several of Essie's predominant emotions and the causes and how they affect her choices.

4. Essie seems far simpler than Laura: Do you think Essie's simpler personality helps her to stay focused on spiritual goals? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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