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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay 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) The Harlem Renaissance.
(b) Romanticism.
(c) Postmodernism.
(d) Modernism.

2. In "Unspeakable Things Unspoken," Morrison comments that race was once used to exclude Blacks, but now that they want their race represented, they are told it does not exist. What function does this detail perform?
(a) It ironically illustrates the constantly shifting rationale for exclusion.
(b) It introduces a nostalgic tone that supports Morrison's argument with an element of pathos.
(c) It is a straw-man version of the counterclaims Morrison is trying to undermine.
(d) It adds a comic note that breaks the tension of a series of upsetting images.

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

4. In "Memory, Creation, and Fiction," why does Morrison say that her work can properly be considered "Black" writing?
(a) Because she works from within established traditions of Black art and culture.
(b) Because scholars classify it as such.
(c) Because her characters are Black.
(d) Because she is Black.

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?
(a) She hoped to provoke a conversation about the viability of Black culture.
(b) She wanted to expand critical vocabulary to encompass territory within Black culture.
(c) She hoped to make an argument for Black universalism.
(d) She wanted to unambiguously reject white culture.

Short Answer Questions

1. Morrison's novel "Paradise" is set where?

2. In "Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," Morrison posits that the "Lone" Ranger is "lone" because of what?

3. In "Invisible Ink," Morrison says that she would like to read a book where what is left ambiguous?

4. In "Tribute to Romare Bearden," Morrison focuses her attention on the relationship between what and Bearden's art?

5. In "Grendel and His Mother," Morrison notes that Beowulf is a part of Western literature's characterization of evil as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In “The Source of Self-Regard," what does Morrison say made her uncomfortable about the letters she received from students, and why did it make her feel this way?

2. In “Gertrude Stein and the Difference She Makes," what confuses Morrison about Stein's portrayal of Rose?

3. In “Academic Whispers," what does Morrison say used to annoy her about being asked to speak about racism?

4. What point is Morrison trying to illustrate when she brings up Moby Dick in “Unspeakable Things Unspoken"?

5. In “God’s Language," what does Morrison say is the problem with trying to use modern language to describe Biblical concepts?

6. In "On Beloved," Morrison discusses Sula and Beloved in the context of feminism; what is the relationship of these two texts to feminism?

7. In “James Baldwin Eulogy,” Morrison explains that Baldwin brought "three gifts." What is this an allusion to, and how does it function in this piece?

8. According to “The Writer Before the Page," why does Morrison use allusions to folktales in her writing?

9. According to “Goodbye to All That: Race, Surrogacy, and Farewell," what have been the changes over time in the literary handling of relationships between women of different races?

10. In “The Source of Self-Regard," what does Morrison describe as some of the contradictions that jazz contains?

(see the answer keys)

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