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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. Who does the painting of Adam resemble in Laura's imagination?

2. What would be a general description of Laura?

3. Over what do the women argue in Chapter 7?

4. Why does Laura want to start a church?

5. What central conflict does this chapter set up?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Do you think Buddy's conversion is sincere?

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

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. What do you think is the significance of Chapter 26's title, "Moon Over Harlem"?

8. 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?

9. How do Laura's and Essie's roles reverse in this chapter?

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

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

Much of the imagery in this book is religious in origin; none more so than the Garden of Eden imagery. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research the story of the Garden of Eden and give a very brief synopsis and interpretation of the story as told in Genesis.

2. Go through the book and cite all the images that are related to the Garden of Eden. Explain what the image is; how it is related to the Garden of Eden; and any symbolism it may represent.

3. Several characters at various times play the role of the serpent or "tempter." Find several instances when a character is fulfilling the role of tempter (or temptress) and discuss what is happening, why, and the resolution.

4. How does the ending of the book offer two different versions for the Garden of Eden? (i.e. one character is thrown out of the Garden, the other chooses to continue to cultivate the garden to create an even lovelier paradise). Was this ending inevitable? Where could things have changed for Laura so that she could have remained in the Garden?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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