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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 final way Corinne hurts Nettie before she dies?

2. Why doesn’t Celie like the idea of Shug and Germaine dating?

3. Why does Shug suddenly decide to take Mary Agnes to Memphis with her as well?

4. Where does Nettie live?

5. What does Mr. collect, which surprises Celie?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Corinne’s attitude changed toward Nettie since moving to Africa?

2. What is rootleaf and why is it important to the Olinkans?

3. Who are Nettie and Celie’s birth parents?

4. Who did Pa marry after Celie and Nettie moved out, and what does this suggest about his personality?

5. What is the “surprise” that Shug brings home for the family at Christmas, and how does Mr. react?

6. What is Nettie’s first impression of the Senegalese people she meets during her travels?

7. What does Nettie do her first evening in Olinka?

8. Who is Germaine, and how does Celie feel about him?

9. How does Shug identify Nettie’s hidden letters?

10. Why is Olivia the only girl at the Olinka School?

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

Compare / contrast Celie’s family life at the beginning of the novel and the end of the novel. What causes the major changes that affect Celie’s life? Do you think the ending whitewashes the effects of the abuse and trauma Celie suffered? Why or why not? 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)

This section contains 951 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample