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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. Why does Faye think she will become isolated from her family?

2. What gift do Anaquot and Ziigwan’aage make together for Simon Jack?

3. Who tells Kurt about his daughter’s death?

4. What kind of car does Davan drive?

5. How does Faye injure herself in the orchard?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kendra die?

2. How does Davan’s mother handle her son’s death?

3. How does Old Shaawano behave while mourning the loss of his wife and daughter?

4. What is Bernard’s first impression of Faye and Elsie?

5. Why do the wolves attack Anaquot and her family?

6. What does Faye refer to as her two failures?

7. How does Anaquot finally secure Ziigwan’aage’s loyalty?

8. How does Faye compare the Eykes’ dog and the raven Davan killed?

9. Why is Faye’s house invaded by police?

10. Why does Anaquot leave her home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the author’s note, Erdrich notes that “As in all of my books, no sacred knowledge is revealed” (277). Why do you think she chose to keep some of these traditional practices hidden? What role does sacred knowledge play in the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is the driving conflict of the novel? Does the story have a primary antagonist? How does the story balance external and internal conflict?

Essay Topic 3

How does the novel portray romantic love? Compare and contrast the romantic relationships experienced by women in the novel. How do these compare with the way the novel portrays family and friendship?

(see the answer keys)

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