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. What kind of gown does Mauma make for the upcoming Race Week in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

2. What word from the novel refers to the act of a slave owner freeing his or her slaves?

3. How old is Sarah Grimke when she is allowed to venture out of the nursery and is given a waiting maid in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

4. Who is the family physician that diagnoses Sarah with depression in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

5. How old is Sarah when she discusses the abolition movement with her father and brothers in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leads to Mauma being allowed to be hired out in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How much does she earn in this manner?

2. How is the character of Mauma described in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? What is Mauma's name?

3. How does Sarah learn to create a manumission document in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? What happens to this document?

4. How does the narrator describe Sarah's appearance in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? How is Sarah regarded by her parents?

5. How is the custom of slaves attending white churches described in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Where did the slaves sit in church?

6. What items from the Grimke household go missing in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Who steals these items?

7. What impressions does Denmark Vesey make on Handful and Mauma in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

8. Who has Mauma begun having an affair with in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How is this character described?

9. What story does Handful recall in the opening of Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Who told Handful this story?

10. What does Sarah discover Handful doing when her family returns from their upcountry estate in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How does she respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the courtship and marriage customs in the early 1800s. At what age were young women typically married at this time? How did marriage and courtship customs differ between the upper and lower classes? How did customs differ among the different regions of the country? How are these customs depicted in The Invention of Wings?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of friendship in The Invention of Wings. Why is the developing friendship between Sarah and Handful a source of conflict in the narrative? What bonds do Sarah and Grimke share? How is their friendship tested in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Burke Williams in the narrative. How long does it take Burke to finally come call on Sarah? How would you describe his visit? What about Burke attracts Sarah? What is later revealed about Burke’s character? How does Sarah respond when the truth about Burke is discovered?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 881 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample