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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Buddy's conversion do to Essie?

2. Who has Essie asked to come by and visit?

3. What happens when Buddy speaks crudely about how young the "bitch" is?

4. Who visits Essie in jail?

5. To what does Birdie confess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 12, "Dyed in the Wool" is a very significant theme in this novel. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research and explain the phrase "dyed in the wool." Where did it come from? What century? What was its original meaning? What has it come to mean now as an aphorism?

2. How does this phrase describe Essie at the beginning of the book? Is it still applicable to her at the end? Explain with examples.

3. How does this phrase describe Laura at the beginning of the book? Is it still applicable to her at the end? Explain with examples.

4. How can the phrase "dyed in the wool" be either a positive characteristic of someone or a negative? Give a couple examples from your own life.

Essay Topic 2

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?

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?

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