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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 book does Ira read to Apitchi?

2. How does Ira know Honey?

3. Why does Ira want to go home with John?

4. Who does Bernard promise to teach the drum’s songs to?

5. Why does Shawnee hit Apitchi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which of Ira’s possessions survives the fire, and why?

2. Why is Bernard suspicious of Ira when she arrives?

3. Why does Morris fall in love with Ira?

4. Why is Ira worried when she talks to Seraphine?

5. Why does Morris apologize to Ira?

6. Why is Shawnee angry at her mother?

7. What is John’s attitude towards Ira?

8. What happened to Bernard’s family?

9. What causes the fire at Ira’s house?

10. Why are Shawnee and her brother fighting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the basis of Faye and Kurt’s relationship? What brings them together, and what keeps them apart? How does their relationship evolve over the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does the novel portray intergenerational trauma? To what extent are the characters driven by the experiences of their parents, grandparents, and ancestors?

(see the answer keys)

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