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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 did the white hunter promise to give to Prairie Flower?

2. According to Gertrude's mother, who were the only people who had their hair cut off?

3. Where did the Federal agent tell Gertrude the boarding school was located?

4. The baby in #13 grew up to sign a treaty with the U.S. government to give away how much Indian land?

5. What image did Gertrude scratch out in the Bible?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ironically, what did Gertrude do in 1891 when she returned to White's boarding school?

2. Why did Gertrude experience an identity crisis in her pre-teen years?

3. How did the Indian children's loneliness exhibit with them physically?

4. What did the devil in the Bible stories symbolize for Gertrude?

5. Why did the Indian children at the boarding school get sick and what happened to them during serious illnesses?

6. How does the story of Prairie Flower and Cloud Elk foreshadow Gertrude's life in white society?

7. What shocked Gertrude about punishment meted out on Judewin for playing in the snow?

8. What role did oral stories serve in the Indian society, and which story character did Gertrude like best?

9. How many times was Tate married, and how many children did she have?

10. Describe what daily life was like for the Indian children at the boarding school.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Zitkala-Sa was no stranger to hurt and pain. From what you know of her life through this book, what were her biggest sorrows and worst betrayals? How did she manage through them? How did her coping skills evidence themselves in many aspects of her life? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting and time period for Gertrude's young adulthood? What was America like during this time period? How important are the time period and setting to the attitudes and issues of Gertrude, her family and friends?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. Why is it called simply "The Flight of Red Bird"? What was Rappaport trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

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This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample