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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 has Apitichi been diagnosed with?

2. What is Morris’ nickname?

3. How far does Shawnee need to journey to Bernard’s house?

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

5. What was Bernard doing when Shawnee arrived at his house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Morris apologize to Ira?

3. Why does Ira kiss Morris?

4. Why does Ira want to ride with John instead of Morris?

5. What happened to Bernard’s family?

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

7. How does Shawnee feel about Honey?

8. What is Ira’s attitude towards herself?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role do family and tribalism play in the novel? Consider traditional and nontraditional families such as the Tatros, Faye’s father and his students, and the family Anaquot and Ziigwan’aage built together. What common thread do these families have?

Essay Topic 2

The novel suggests two possibilities for the death of Old Shaawano’s daughter: she was sacrificed by her mother, or she sacrificed herself to save them. Which story do you think is true? How does your perception of the story change for each possibility?

Essay Topic 3

How does the painted drum ultimately bring Bernard’s community back together? What did its loss symbolize to the people, and what have they gained through its restoration? Why do you think it needed to be returned before the community could fully reconnect?

(see the answer keys)

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