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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 does Faye refer to as “an unforeseen drawback” of her actions (74)?

2. What does the word “Zwischenraum” refer to?

3. Why does Anaquot begin to sympathize with her would-be murderer?

4. Who does Anaquot leave behind when she leaves home?

5. What color does Elsie have a particular curiosity towards?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Bernard’s elderly companion learn from visiting with wolves?

3. How does Bernard make his father rethink the fate of his sister, Old Shaawano’s daughter?

4. Why does Faye avoid wearing red when she works?

5. How do Anaquot and Ziigwan’aage take revenge against Simon Jack?

6. How does Anaquot learn she is in danger at Simon Jack’s house?

7. How does Kurt react when Davan shoots a raven in his yard?

8. Why does Old Shaawano choose to confide in Geeshik?

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

10. How does Faye break the traditional rules of the painted drum?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the author juxtapose manmade settings with natural settings? How do the characters interact with these worlds? What do contrasting settings communicate about the novel’s themes?

Essay Topic 2

When Kurt’s artwork is vandalized, Faye comments that “the act of vandalism frees the two of us” (272). Why did she find an act of destruction freeing? What does their attitude show about Kurt’s relationship with his art?

Essay Topic 3

When Faye considers the nature of her work, she notes that she is not “a traditional Ojibwe” (33). Why do you think she chooses to distance herself from her cultural heritage? What other elements does she use to build an identity? Does this identity change through her journey?

(see the answer keys)

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