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. When did the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves take effect?

2. For how long does Burke Williams stay when he first calls on Sarah in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

3. Who has discovered that Burke Williams has other fiancees and confronts him about it in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

4. How old is Sarah's mother in February of 1811?

5. What does Sarah throw from her window to Burke Williams when he departs from his first visit 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. Who has Mauma begun having an affair with in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How is this character described?

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

4. What does Mauma intend to do with the money she earns as a hired-out slave in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? What does she tell Handful of her plans?

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 is Sarah's principle birthday present for her eleventh birthday? How does Sarah respond to this gift?

7. How does Sarah go about attempting to quell her feelings for Burke Williams in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? Is she successful?

8. How has the friendship between Sarah and Handful evolved in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

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's eleventh birthday signify? How many siblings does Sarah have? What are their names?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1803. Where is Charleston located in the state of South Carolina? What was the economy like in this region at this time? What was the political atmosphere in Charlotte in 1803? Where in Charleston do the Grimkes live?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the narrative style used in The Invention of Wings. Is the story related from a first, second, or third person perspective? Why do you think the author chooses to use a split perspective in telling the story? How does Handful’s narration differ from Sarah’s? How would the novel differ if the author chose to tell the story from a different perspective?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Denmark Vesey in the novel. How does Denmark’s attitude differ from the attitudes of Handful’s fellow slaves? In what ways does Denmark influence the actions of Charlotte and of Handful? What becomes of Denmark Vesey in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 887 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample