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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. Why does Nettie tear up all her letters to Celie when she reaches her port?

2. Who buys the Olinka land, threatening to take everything away from the villagers?

3. What is the name of the shop Celie opens in Memphis?

4. How does Millie feel when she is surrounded by Sofia’s family?

5. What does Nettie accuse Mr. of doing on the night she tried to leave the house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Tashi’s parents feel about her befriending Olivia?

3. Why is Sofia’s mother’s funeral unusual?

4. How did Nettie come to live in Africa?

5. How does Celie react when she learns that Mr. has been hiding Nettie’s letters?

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

7. How do the Olinka people first react to their new missionaries (including Nettie)?

8. Why does Millie think Sofia is ungrateful?

9. Who is Mary Agnes?

10. How does Shug picture God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the revelation that Pa is not Celie’s true father. How does this realization change her life, and how does she feel about herself when the truth is revealed. How did Celie’s birth parents die, and how might her life have been different had she grown up with them rather than with Pa? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Celie’s relationship with Shug. How does it grow and change over the course of the novel? Would you consider them more like sisters or lovers? Why? What is the difference between these two types of relationships? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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