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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. Who is Celie writing to in the novel?

2. What does Pa say about Celie that convinces Mr. to marry her?

3. What is Squeak’s real name?

4. How does Sofia react to being slapped?

5. What does Harpo blame for his strange bruises?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unique about the novel’s style, which is made apparent within the first few pages?

2. How does Shug Avery come to live in Celie’s house, and how does Celie feel about this?

3. What happens when Harpo and Sofia see each other for the first time at the juke joint?

4. How does Mr.’s family feel about having Shug in the house?

5. How does Harpo’s juke joint fare when it first opens?

6. How does Harpo react to the news that Sofia’s father doesn’t think he’s good enough for her?

7. Why is Mr. so emotional with Shug in his house?

8. What happens when Squeak tries to convince the warden to let Sofia out of jail early?

9. What changes about Harpo’s life after Sofia leaves him?

10. How many children does Celie give birth to, and what happens to them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Growing up, both Shug and Celie were told that they would amount to nothing: Celie was told she was ugly and Shug was told she was evil. How do you see these messages affecting the two women as they matured into adulthood? How did these messages ultimately bring the two women together? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of spousal abuse. What are the effects of abuse, specifically on women and gender roles? How does the reader see the cycle of abuse, particularly through Harpo’s character? What message is Walker sending about spousal abuse by making Mr. and Celie friends at the end of the novel? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the epistolary structure of the novel. What are the benefits of constructing a novel of letters? What are the benefits of this style? What are the drawbacks? How does the structure inform the characters, particularly Celie’s, growth? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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