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. In a late-night conversation, Brown and Jones talk about their official jobs titles, which are vague. What does this tell the reader about their relationship?

2. When the countess rang the bell for Marcel to come to her room, what was he wearing?

3. When Mr. Smith and Brown unexpectedly meet again in Santo Domingo, what does Mr. Smith offer?

4. When Mr. Smith hears that Doctor Philipot had killed himself, what does he want to do?

5. Why does Joseph limp?

Short Essay Questions

1. Both the Secretary of State and Jones are confused by the idea that Jones would be charged with something. How is this indicative of Haitian politics? How does Brown's narration of the scene explain his view of it?

2. From the conversation with his mother, what does Brown learn about his father? How is this knowledge in keeping with the family dynamic?

3. In Chapter 1 of Part 1, Brown and Jones meet as Jones is attempting to bribe the steward to switch their rooms. How is this first scene indicative of Jones's character?

4. When Brown and Mr. Smith visit the Secretary of State, hoping to free Jones, how is Brown successful? Why is Mr. Smith's bluntness ineffective?

5. What is the purpose of the night of entertainment aboard the ship, in Part 1, Chapter 1?

6. After visiting Martha and her husband at the embassy, what drives Brown to Mere Catherine's? Is he satisfied there?

7. Petit Pierre is introduced at the beginning of Part 1, Chapter 2. What purpose does his character play? How is he similar to Brown?

8. Jones is the mysterious guest whom Captain Concasseur is protecting at Mere Catherine's and the man who was occupied with Tin Tin. What is the effect of this surprise? How does it help to reveal Jones's character further?

9. Doctor Magiot is willing to help Brown plan an escape for Jones as well as maintain a facade of caring for Jones in order to explain his absence from public life. Why are these two men willing to take such risk? What does it say about their character?

10. Brown does not give a definition of the Tonton Macoutes until Part 3, Chapter 4. How does this reinforce to the reader what the characters experienced?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the times Brown is held at gunpoint by Captain Concasseur. What does he have to lose? Why does he react differently? How is the captain's attitude different? What are their roles in both scenes? For example, in the second incident, Brown notes that a person would not hesitate to shoot someone he sees as worthless.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Jones when is he honest about himself to Brown? What impression does he give of his own character?

Essay Topic 3

The Smiths are devoted to the idea of the vegetarian center, even when Haitian reality tells them that it will never happen. They are clinging to the dream in the face of truth. Where else does this happen in the novel? Who is clinging to dream that can never become reality?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,544 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample