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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. Where does Sarah attend a church service and become inspired to give her life to God after her betrothal to Burke Williams ends in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

2. Who is the "nursery mauma" that tends to the Grimke children in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

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

4. How many siblings does Sarah Grimke have in the beginning of Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

5. How much is Handful's worth, according to the slave records that Mauma examines in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mr. Grimke take his family to their upcountry estate in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How does Sarah respond?

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

3. What is Sarah's mother's response when Sarah pleads with her regarding Handful after her eleventh birthday party?

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

5. What do Handful and Nina help Sarah to prepare for in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? Why?

6. Who is the young man that asks to call on Sarah at Mrs. Alston's party? How is this character described?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1819. What was the population of Philadelphia at this time? How do Sarah and Mr. Grimke travel to Philadelphia? How does Philadelphia differ from Charleston in customs, economy, politics, and society?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Catherine Morris in the novel. How old is Catherine? For how long has Catherine lived in Israel’s home? What is the relationship like between Israel and his sister? What conflicts arise between Catherine Morris and Sarah Grimke in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of slavery and abuse in The Invention of Wings. How is this theme reflected through the punishments, limitations, and desires of Handful and Mauma? How has the presence of slavery influenced Sarah as a character? How has it influenced Nina Grimke?

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