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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Brown and young Philipot converse near the hotel pool, what does Philipot reveal that he is obsessed with?
(a) The chance to avenge his uncle's death.
(b) The opportunity to shoot a Tonton Macoute.
(c) An important government job.
(d) A Bren gun and training.

2. While listening to Mr. Smith describe the vegetarian center, what does the Secretary for Social Welfare doodle on his paper?
(a) Percentage marks and plus signs.
(b) Mr. Smith's face.
(c) Concentric circles.
(d) Sketches for the building entrance.

3. When Martha comes to visit the afternoon after the Tonton Macoutes come, what do she and Brown do for the first time?
(a) Quarrel about Angel.
(b) Make love outside.
(c) Sleep in his bed.
(d) Quarrel about her husband.

4. What does Jones forget at the hotel when he and Brown flee?
(a) His rain jacket.
(b) His briefcase.
(c) His suitcase.
(d) His cocktail case.

5. Why does Jones want a business partner in the venture he is planning?
(a) To assist him with the planning.
(b) To watch things while he travels.
(c) To manage the financial side while he arranges the business contacts.
(d) To take over when he retires.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Brown and his ship friend return to the boat, why is the guard at the gangplank not threatening?

2. To leave the ship, Jones dresses up as a woman. What does he wear?

3. What does the priest do with the bodies which the dancers bring to him?

4. When Brown hears footsteps outside his hotel, what weapon does he grab?

5. What revelation does Jones give Brown about his love life?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Mr. Smith, Brown, and the Secretary for Social Welfare survey Duvalierville with the purpose of building a vegetarian center, the only person they see is a justice of the peace. What is the irony of this man?

2. When Brown's car breaks down on the road, he and Jones take refuge in a cemetery until the morning. How does this fit their time in Haiti? How does it portend what is to come?

3. While lying in bed in the Hotel Trianon, Martha notes to brown that their relationship is no longer an adventure. What are the signs of this change? What are their choices for the future?

4. When Brown attends the Voodoo ceremony with Joseph, several white-wrapped bodies are held close to the flame so that the skin burns. What is the effect of this scene? What is its possible antecedent?

5. When just before leaving Haiti, Mr. Smith scatters money in front of the post office, what does he show about himself? Has he changed since he first came to the country?

6. When Jones and Brown board the Medea so Jones can ask for asylum, Brown describes the ship's captain like a judge. What is the effect of this appearance? Is this the first time a judge figure has appeared in the book? How does this contrast to Haitian culture?

7. Why do the Smiths change their minds about opening a vegetarian center? How does the Secretary for Social Welfare misunderstand Mr. Smith?

8. What is the purpose of the Tonton Macoutes' visit to Brown at six o'clock in the morning? Do they expect to find anyone?

9. From even their first meeting, Brown hesitates to address Jones as "Major Jones." How does this begin to explain Jones's character? How does it prepare the reader for the revelation that Jones has never even seen a man die?

10. At the end of Part 2, Chapter 1, Brown comes to a realization about himself. What is this realization? How does it change the reader's understanding of him? How does it fit with his wandering to the casino and then to the Medea, talking with the purser?

(see the answer keys)

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