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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. Of what is Laura still jealous?

2. What could the wine glass symbolize as far as Laura's character?

3. What are Laura's robes like?

4. How does Laura inspire Essie?

5. What does Essie do after they are persuaded?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

4. 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?

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. How is the title of Chapter 28, "Cross to Bear" relevant to Buddy and Laura's relationship?

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

8. What do you think is the significance of the title, "Judas in Scarlett"?

9. What truth do you think Birdie Lee might reveal in the future as foreshadowed in Chapter 19?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 10, "The Fix" is an interesting juxtaposing of spiritual with moral corruption. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What do you think Laura's motives are for her actions in this chapter, particularly regarding soliciting money from gamblers, pimps and prostitutes and bribing cops?

2. Are Laura's lack of integrity and her resulting actions for a good cause justifiable? Give examples from this chapter and others. Why or why not?

3. Do you think Essie should be more forceful about stopping some of Laura's actions? Do you think she knows about the bribes to cops?

4. What could Essie do to stop Laura now when corruption has not become an established way of life for Laura?

Essay Topic 2

The author continually foreshadows future events in earlier chapters. 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. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Is it necessary? Why do you think this author chooses to use a great deal of foreshadowing? Do you think he includes too much foreshadowing? Or not enough? Explain.

2. Choose two major events that occur near the end of the book and trace how those events have been foreshadowed. Was the foreshadowing successful? Was it necessary? If there had been no foreshadowing, would you have responded differently to the events?

3. Foreshadowing seldom is as clear in "real" life as in novels. Discuss the idea that much of life is foreshadowed using specific examples from your own or others' lives.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of morality is woven throughout this novel and is an integral part of understanding both the characters and the plot. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define morality as it is used in this novel?

2. Do all the characters have the same definition of morality? How do the characters differ in the way they perceive morality and in how they perceive themselves as moral people?

3. How important is it to Essie, Laura and Buddy that they are perceived as moral people? Give examples to illustrate each person's belief. How important is it to each of those characters that they are actually moral people? Is there a discrepancy? Why do you think this is?

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