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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Marietta's response?

2. To what does Essie compare her fear at this time?

3. What does Laura do when she comes into the jail and is locked up?

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

5. What do CJ and Marietta want to do after the church service?

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

Throughout the novel, Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment is contrasted to Laura's quest for physical/material gratification. 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. Compare and contrast the concepts of spiritual fulfillment versus physical/material gratification using both examples from the book and in your own experience.

2. Describe fully Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

3. Describe fully Laura's search for physical/material gratification, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 15, "Enter Marty" introduces a new dimension to Essie and Laura's ministry. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Does it surprise you that a white man is the power behind "the throne" in Harlem in this time period? Explain. Explain the term "the throne" and the irony involved.

2. Why do you think the "Negroes" (the term for Blacks in that era) put up with a white man running the show on their turf? Do you think they eventually change that?

3. Who do you think runs the "throne" in Harlem now? Is the power in white or black hands or both? Or some other?

(see the answer keys)

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