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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," Morrison calls the "merging of forms" one of the key aspects of what literary movement?
(a) Postmodernism.
(b) The Harlem Renaissance.
(c) Romanticism.
(d) Modernism.

2. In "On Beloved," Morrison says that one thing that frustrates her is the absence of Black girls where?
(a) In science and mathematics.
(b) In media and entertainment.
(c) In history and literature.
(d) In elite educational institutions.

3. In "Invisible Ink," Morrison says that she deliberately introduces ambiguity into her novels for what purpose?
(a) To make the reader participate in the construction of the novel.
(b) To create suspense.
(c) As a thematic reminder that the world itself is ambiguous.
(d) As an emotional challenge to the reader.

4. 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 afraid of encountering what is new or different.
(b) Someone whose passion outweighs their judgment.
(c) Someone who gets pleasure from watching something that is private or painful for others.
(d) Someone who is more confident in their own knowledge than they should be.

5. In "The Trouble with Paradise," Morrison claims that in the modern world, what has become "trivial"?
(a) Justice.
(b) Paradise.
(c) Religion.
(d) Morailty.

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

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

8. In "Faulkner and Women," whom does Morrison say she imagines when as a reader when she is writing?
(a) Everyone.
(b) African Americans.
(c) Literary critics.
(d) Herself.

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

10. 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?
(a) Meditation.
(b) Disrespect.
(c) Pragmatism.
(d) Wonder.

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

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

13. "The Trouble with Paradise" is mostly about what?
(a) The difference between older and more modern ideas of paradise.
(b) The plot of Morrison's novel Paradise.
(c) The language needed to describe paradise.
(d) Characterization difficulties Morrison had while writing Paradise.

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

15. Who is Margaret Garner?
(a) A Black woman who, in the mid-1800's, killed her own daughter.
(b) A Mississippi civil rights leader from the post-Civil War era.
(c) A critic who questioned Morrison's treatment of men in her works.
(d) The artist who supplied Morrison with the images that are the basis of Sula.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Faulkner and Women," what effect does Morrison say Faulkner has had on her writing?

2. In "Memory, Creation, and Fiction," what does Morrison say about basing characters on people she knows well?

3. In "God's Language," Morrison uses the word "ruminating" to describe what?

4. Which is the best definition of "churlish" as used in "Unspeakable Things Unspoken"?

5. In "Memory, Creation, and Fiction," why does Morrison say that her work can properly be considered "Black" writing?

(see the answer keys)

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