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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Essie say to Laura?

2. To what does Essie compare Laura's denial?

3. What is likely foreshadowed in the scene between Buddy and Laura in Chapter 27?

4. What does Laura suggest about Marietta?

5. Where do Essie and Marietta move?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

In addition to much symbolism in this novel, there are also a number of metaphors. 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. Define metaphor and symbolism and compare the two using specific examples both from the book and other sources. Which do you feel is more effective? Which seems better at expressing the idea of an abstract concept? Why would you use one over the other--give specific examples.

2. For what do you think the mural of the Garden of Eden that is described in chapter 11 is a metaphor? Explain using specific examples. Does the metaphor work for you?

3. Write a real or hypothetical situation in your personal experience that includes one or more abstract concepts and then create a metaphor to express that experience. Next, choose a way to use symbolism in the telling of the experience. Which way seems more effective at portraying the experience?

Essay Topic 3

Laura is constantly projecting personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. What does it mean to project motives or traits upon someone else? Give a couple examples from your own experience when you or someone you know has projected a motive, trait, or belief upon someone else.

2. Name four instances when Laura projects personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters. How accurate is she?

3. Why do you think Laura projects personality traits, beliefs, or motives upon other characters? How can projecting cause one to be taken off guard by someone some day? Does that happen in the case of Laura (example as with Birdie Lee)?

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