3. When Essie says she does not want to buy the Bible with gambling money, Laura accuses her of being too holy and too self righteous; from what do you think this accusation stems?

4. In Chapter 21, narration expounds on what it means to go "North" to Southern Negroes; summarize narrations statements.

5. Do you think Essie's journey towards spiritual enlightenment is helped or hindered by being thrown into jail?

6. Why do you think Chapter 33 is titled "Watch with Me"?

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

8. What do you think might be the significance of the title "Palm Sunday," of Chapter 1?

9. The ending of Chapter 1 and the beginning of Chapter 36, both are concerned with hymns singing to God; how are the circumstances different and alike in the two chapters?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Money plays a large role in the choices the major characters make. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Go through and cite at least six places where money is discussed. Briefly state the situation, who is involved and the decisions made.

2. Some people say that "money is the root of all evil" and others say that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Which saying do you think is applicable in this book? Why? Give examples.

3. Can money also be the root of much that is good? Give examples in the book where that idea seems true.

4. What are your conclusions about the role money plays in this book?

Essay Topic 2

This novel is replete with symbolism, especially religious symbolism of a Judea-Christian origin. 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. Describe all the symbolism around the River of Jordan, its relation to Christianity, its meaning to Blacks as originated with those in slavery in the United States, and how it is used in this novel.

2. Discuss the symbolic meanings of Tambourines in the novel, giving specific examples. How are Tambourines both a symbol of spirituality and materialism? Why do you think the author names the novel TAMBOURINES TO GLORY?

3. Discuss the idea of ascension and how it is symbolized in the novel. How does the idea of ascension differ depending on the character?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,495 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page)

View a FREE sample

More summaries and resources for teaching or studying Tambourines to Glory.

View all Lesson Plans available from BookRags.

Copyrights

BookRags