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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. What were the baby twin siblings of Pauline Williams called, according to the narrator in Part IV?

2. Which of the prostitutes with Mr. Henry in Part III is described as “the one church women never allowed their eyes to rest on”?

3. Maureen tells Claudia, Pecola and Frieda that her uncle sued which ice cream company in Part III?

4. What were the names of Pauline Williams’s parents?

5. Who does Cholly’s aunt say his father was in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Cholly Breedlove’s childhood described in “See Father…”? Who raised Cholly?

2. What exchange takes place between Maginot Line and Claudia and Frieda in “Spring”?

3. How does the narrator distinguish the difference between “colored girls” and “black girls” in “See the Cat…”?

4. To whom do Claudia and Frieda turn in order to obtain whiskey in “Spring”? Why?

5. How is Geraldine’s family described in “See the Cat…”? Upon what does Geraldine focus her affection?

6. What does Frieda say is the real reason she is crying when Claudia finds her in bed after Mr. Henry’s been kicked out in Part IV?

7. How is Maureen Peal described when she is first introduced in “Winter”?

8. “See the Cat…” begins with a discussion of what “types of girls”? Where are these individuals from?

9. What are Claudia and Frieda’s feelings about Maureen Peal when she moves to Lorain in “Winter”?

10. What misunderstanding at the ice cream parlor contributes to the growing tension between Claudia and Maureen in “Winter”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the term “foreshadowing,” and discuss different reasons that an author may choose to use foreshadowing in his/her narrative. In what ways does foreshadowing develop suspense? What foreshadowing is presented in Part I of The Bluest Eye? How does the author’s use of foreshadowing here affect the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of “ugliness” in the novel. As opposed to “beauty,” how is ugliness defined by the narrator? What do you view “ugliness” as? How is ugliness portrayed by the Breedlove family?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the setting of the novel and examine the different aspects of this time and place in history. What was the political atmosphere in America like in 1941? When did the U.S. enter WWII? How were race relations characterized at this time? How did race relations differ in the north and south in the U.S.?

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