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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 "The Site of Memory," Morrison proposes to show how memoir is similar to and different from what?
(a) Literary criticism.
(b) History.
(c) Fiction.
(d) Poetry.

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

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

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 she is Black.
(c) Because her characters are Black.
(d) Because scholars classify it as such.

5. John Gardner's novel Grendel uses the original story as a source for what?
(a) A psychological study of motherhood.
(b) A feminist interpretation of Grendel's mother.
(c) A meditation on the nature of heroism.
(d) A retelling from Grendel's point of view.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. In "Goodbye to All That," to what other group's struggle does Morrison compare the struggle of Black writers to claim territory that is both identity-specific and identity-neutral?

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

5. In "The Source of Self-Regard," which two of her works does Morrison chiefly discuss?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In “James Baldwin Eulogy,” what does Morrison describe as Baldwin's contribution to language?

3. In “Unspeakable Things Unspoken," who does Morrison credit with opening up the canon, and how would she like to see it further expanded?

4. In “The Trouble with Paradise" what reasons does Morrison give for leaving the racial identification of those in the Convent ambiguous?

5. 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?

6. In “Invisible Ink," Morrison proposes that current ways of thinking about the interaction between reader and text are missing an element: the "invisible ink" that can manipulate the reader. Explain what she means by this.

7. In “Tribute to Romare Bearden," Morrison praises Bearden's work as a dialogue between artists; how does she see his work impacting her own?

8. In “Academic Whispers," what three reasons does Morrison say are poor reasons to include African American literature in the canon?

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

10. According to “The Writer Before the Page," what is the relationship between Hannah Peace and Sula?

(see the answer keys)

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