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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 is the bed in Death's house made of?

2. Why does the drinkard cut down a tree when he and his wife reach the river?

3. What does this character do in return for being forgotten by the king?

4. While living in Wraith Island, what is the drinkard's profession?

5. Why won't the people of Wraith Island leave with the drinkard and his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe "Laugh."

2. Who is "Faithful-Mother"? What is her responsibility?

3. Describe the white monster that the drinkard and his wife encounter in "No Road--Ought to Travel from Bush to Bush to the Dead's Town."

4. Describe Death and his house.

5. How does the drinkard react when he first sees the Skull as a "complete gentleman"?

6. Do the drinkard and his wife enjoy staying on Wraith-Island? Why or why not?

7. Why does the drinkard's initial plan to escape the white creatures backfire?

8. Describe the drinkard's reaction when he saves the woman from Skull, brings her home, but then cannot get the cowrie off her neck, which prevents her from speaking and eating. Why is this significant?

9. How is the "bush" personified in "Not Too Small to be Chosen"?

10. When following and spying on Skull, what does the drinkard turn himself into and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although The Palm-wine Drinkard is written by a Nigerian author and set in Nigeria, readers from anywhere can understand and appreciate it in their own way. What is universal about this story and why? Give at least three examples.

Essay Topic 2

The Palm-wine Drinkard is a circular story in that the main character ends back in the place where he started, his hometown. Explain three possible motives for developing and ending the story like this.

Essay Topic 3

Although the drinkard is named "Father of gods who could do everything in this world," he is not omnipotent. It takes more than a twitch of his nose or a snap of his fingers to accomplish his feats. This being said, the drinkard uses a combination of supernatural magic and human wit when dealing with challenges. Discuss how he is fantastical, how he is human, and why this combination makes him a compelling character.

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This section contains 894 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample