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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Unspeakable Things Unspoken," Morrison says that arguments against the inclusion of African American writings in the canon follow a sequence that ends with what belief?
(a) African American literature is inferior.
(b) African American literature does not exist.
(c) African American literature is a rich raw material but it needs refinement by a Western or European hand.
(d) African American literature can be superior, but only by meeting the standards of the Western canon.

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

3. In "The Source of Self-Regard," Morrison suggests that one reason that her work is widely taught is that it is what?
(a) Made to stand in for all of Black literature.
(b) A more intimate way of reading history.
(c) Challenging to younger readers.
(d) Filled with reflection on contemporary social issues.

4. In "God's Language," what does Morrison say gets more attention than paradise?
(a) Hell.
(b) Power.
(c) Race.
(d) Money.

5. In "God's Language," Morrison says that she does not keep a writer's notebook because of what?
(a) Her process does not work with a writer's notebook.
(b) Her novels serve the same purpose as a writer's notebook.
(c) She thinks writer's notebooks are an excuse to avoid actual writing.
(d) She is afraid that people would want to read it.

6. In "Unspeakable Things Unspoken," Morrison introduces Rafferty's criticism of Milan Kundera's Eurocentrism because she says that it can do what?
(a) Demonstrate why the American canon is an illusion.
(b) Serve as a model for African American writers seeking inclusion in the canon.
(c) Motivate a re-imagining of the role of scholarship in shaping the canon.
(d) Highlight the need for a new appraisal of European contributions to the canon.

7. 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) Responds to shifting tastes in the reading public.
(c) Arouses much more violent passions in the defenders of the status quo.
(d) Undermines the existence of the canon itself.

8. In "The Source of Self-Regard," Morrison writes about not wanting to turn her readers into voyeurs. In this context, the word "voyeur" should be defined how?
(a) Someone who gets pleasure from watching something that is private or painful for others.
(b) Someone afraid of encountering what is new or different.
(c) Someone whose passion outweighs their judgment.
(d) Someone who is more confident in their own knowledge than they should be.

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

10. Who is Hannah Peace?
(a) A literary scholar.
(b) A character in Beloved.
(c) A Black writer that Morrison admires.
(d) The inspiration for Sula.

11. In "Faulkner and Women," what does Morrison say is characteristic of Black art?
(a) Its use of myth.
(b) Its use of cross-genre influences.
(c) Its use of historical allusions.
(d) Its use of allegory.

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

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

14. In "Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," Morrison posits that the "Lone" Ranger is "lone" because of what?
(a) The presence of Tonto.
(b) His race.
(c) Hiding his face behind a mask.
(d) His gender.

15. In "The Source of Self-Regard," which two of her works does Morrison chiefly discuss?
(a) Song of Solomon and Beloved.
(b) Beloved and Jazz.
(c) Sula and Song of Solomon.
(d) Jazz and Sula.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Source of Self-Regard," what image does Morrison say she uses to convey the horrors of slavery?

2. In "Memory, Creation, and Fiction," Morrison says what of her process of writing Tar Baby?

3. In "The Site of Memory," Morrison says that slave narratives had two purposes: one was to record the life of an individual human being, and the other was what?

4. In "Rememory," what does Morrison say causes her to rely on memory rather than history?

5. In "Faulkner and Women," What reasons does Morrison give for not being able to speak to the conference about Faulkner?

(see the answer keys)

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