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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Grendel and His Mother," Morrison notes that Beowulf is a part of Western literature's characterization of evil as what?
(a) Feminine.
(b) A philosophical construct.
(c) A product of environment.
(d) Pervasive.

2. In "God's Language," what does Morrison say is the place of religion in African American culture?
(a) It's a powerful example of the merging of African culture with European culture.
(b) It historically marginalized Black people.
(c) Its influence has weakened significantly.
(d) It is central to the culture.

3. In "The Source of Self-Regard," what does Morrison say is a problem with writing novels that are based in history?
(a) No one analytically questions history.
(b) There is not much accurate history available.
(c) Readers are alienated by history.
(d) The historical research can start to take over the story.

4. In "Faulkner and Women," what does Morrison call the character of Sula?
(a) An adventuress.
(b) A conqueror.
(c) A delight.
(d) An artist.

5. In "The Source of Self-Regard," what image does Morrison say she uses to convey the horrors of slavery?
(a) A whip.
(b) A bit.
(c) Chains.
(d) Shackles.

6. In her "James Baldwin Eulogy," Morrison makes an allusion to what Biblical story?
(a) David and Goliath.
(b) Leviathan.
(c) The visit of the Three Wise Men to the Christ child.
(d) The destruction of Solomon's temple.

7. In "Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," Morrison says that she was told that the two responses to chaos are what?
(a) Despair and hope.
(b) Naming and violence.
(c) Critique and acceptance.
(d) Imagination and reshaping.

8. In "Tribute to Romare Bearden," Morrison focuses her attention on the relationship between what and Bearden's art?
(a) Black nationalism.
(b) Her own writing.
(c) Music.
(d) History.

9. In "Unspeakable Things Unspoken," Morrison says that what is different about the discussion of including African-American literature in the canon is that unlike earlier arguments over expanding the canon, this one does what?
(a) Calls into question the authenticity of American literature as a category within the canon.
(b) Arouses much more violent passions in the defenders of the status quo.
(c) Undermines the existence of the canon itself.
(d) Responds to shifting tastes in the reading public.

10. Which is the best definition of "churlish" as used in "Unspeakable Things Unspoken"?
(a) Rude, mean-spirited.
(b) Scholarly, didactic.
(c) Innocent, childlike.
(d) Remote, unobtainable.

11. In "Invisible Ink," what word does Morrison object to when it is applied to reading?
(a) Challenge.
(b) Pleasure.
(c) Art.
(d) Participation.

12. Morrison began Beloved after seeing what?
(a) Her father in the hospital.
(b) An argument between her mother and one of her friends.
(c) A newspaper clipping.
(d) The arrest of a Black girl.

13. In "The Site of Memory," Morrison says that a large part of her "literary heritage" is what?
(a) Poetry.
(b) Autobiography.
(c) Fiction.
(d) The Western canon.

14. In "The Site of Memory," Morrison remarks upon what tone common in slave narratives?
(a) Fury.
(b) Sarcasm.
(c) Objectivity.
(d) Despair.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Writer Before the Page," Morrison explains what about the structure of her novels?

2. What is one of the main subjects of Beloved?

3. In "The Source of Self-Regard," Morrison suggests that one reason that her work is widely taught is that it is what?

4. In "Faulkner and Women," what does Morrison say is characteristic of Black art?

5. In "Goodbye to All That," what does Morrison say was her motive for insisting on being identified as a Black writer from the beginning?

(see the answer keys)

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