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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 is the name of Ruth's manager?

2. What did Ruth's mother used to feed the birds?

3. Why does Ruth return to Virginia?

4. Who does Ruth meet outside the church?

5. Where does Ruth get a job when she returns to New York?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ruth react to Irene's death?

2. How does Rocky try to take advantage of Ruth?

3. What problems does James say he had as a child of mixed race?

4. Describe the blood sacrifice of a chicken.

5. In what way does James think his mother is a success?

6. Summarize the book.

7. Why is James anxious to move to Delaware?

8. How does Andrew help Ruth get over her mother's death?

9. How does Ruth cope with her abortion?

10. Describe Halina's time in an underground prison.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss differences between the novel and autobiography formats. What are the main elements of a novel? What are the main elements of an autobiography? What can novelists express that an autobiographer cannot? How can autobiographies keep to the facts while still maintaining a level of entertainment?

Essay Topic 2

Examine what the following generations experienced during their time in America:

1) Ruth's grandparents

2) Ruth's parents

3) Ruth and her siblings

4) James and his siblings

Essay Topic 3

How does Ruth's Jewish upbringing influence her approach to life? How does Ruth's approach change when she converts to Christianity? In what way does James suggest his mother struggled with her conversion to Christianity?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 755 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample