View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why doesn’t Sofia’s father think Harpo is good enough for her?

2. How old is Celie the first time her father sexually assaults her?

3. What is the name of Sofia’s youngest daughter?

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

5. Why does Mr. kick Kate out of the house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What brings on Celie’s terrible beating from Pa after church?

5. Who is Olivia and where does Celie meet her?

6. How do Mr. and Celie come to be married?

7. Why does Celie suddenly feel jealous of Mr. and Shug when she sees them at the juke joint?

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

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

10. How does Celie try to protect Nettie from Pa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is sewing a symbol for in the novel? Why is it significant that Celie and Sofia sew a quilt together after Shug moves in? What does the diversity of a patchwork quilt suggest about the relationships in the novel, particularly the female relationships? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the theme of fatherhood in the novel. Which character do you think is the best father in the novel? Why? Which character do you think is the worst? In what ways can you see parenting styles, specifically fatherhood, affecting characters as they mature into adulthood? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about the day that Celie and Nettie are reunited? What major obstacles did they overcome to be together again in America? How does Celie feel at the end of the novel, and what message does this send to the reader about the value of family? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 901 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample