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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 condition did Sarah Grimke develop as a result of her terror at witnessing her mother beating a slave during her childhood?

2. What was the name of the field slave that was Handful's father?

3. What does Sarah leave in a basket for Mauma and Handful after Mauma's one-leg punishment in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

4. How old is Nina in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

5. Denmark Vesey gained the money to buy his house by what means?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of religion in The Invention of Wings. What church does the Grimke family attend regularly? What are Sarah Grimke’s religious beliefs? Why does Nina Grimke refuse to be confirmed into her family’s church? How does the A.M.E. Church in the novel differ from the white churches? How do the Quakers stand apart from the other churches in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Handful in The Invention of Wings. How old is Handful when her character is first introduced? What is Handful’s daily life like at this time? Where does Handful fit into the hierarchy at the Grimke household? How does Handful’s character evolve through the course of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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