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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 7: Part II--God’s Language, including the essays “The Trouble with Paradise” through “Faulkner and Woman”.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "The Price of Wealth, the Cost of Care," what does Morrison blame for diminishing our desire to care for others in modern times?
(a) The rise of fascism in Western democracies.
(b) Our fear of the movement of people across borders.
(c) Widespread poverty in our own country.
(d) The rise of non-governmental organizations.

2. According to Morrison's "Black Matter(s)," what is a key factor in national identity?
(a) Literature.
(b) Politics.
(c) Immigration.
(d) Religion.

3. In "Black Matter(s)," what aspect of American slavery does Morrison claim makes its impact so long-lasting in American culture?
(a) Laws against teaching slaves to read and write.
(b) The skin color of the slaves.
(c) The religion of slave-owners.
(d) The breakup of slave families.

4. In "Faulkner and Women," what effect does Morrison say Faulkner has had on her writing?
(a) She uses symbolism in a similar way.
(b) None.
(c) He provided an example of how to manipulate language.
(d) Faulkner was the inspiration for Song of Solomon.

5. In "The Writer Before the Page," Morrison explains what about the structure of her novels?
(a) She is frustrated when the parts feel fragmentary.
(b) She always begins with a careful outline.
(c) She finds chapter and part designations unhelpful.
(d) She dislikes nonlinear narrative.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Black Matter(s)," Morrison says that a key "absence" in writing about racism is the omission of its impact on whom?

2. In the story that opens "The Nobel Lecture in Literature," what do the children ask the old woman about?

3. In "Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," what element does Morrison say is an aspect of the European American response to chaos lacking in the indigenous response?

4. In "Academic Whispers," Morrison says that interview requests used to make her feel like she was being used as what?

5. In "The Slavebody and the Blackbody," Morrison says what about slavery?

(see the answer key)

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