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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. In "Introduction to Peter Sellars," Morrison praises his work for being what?
2. In "Invisible Ink," Morrison says that she deliberately introduces ambiguity into her novels for what purpose?
3. In "The Source of Self-Regard," what does Morrison say is a problem with writing novels that are based in history?
4. In "Invisible Ink," Morrison says that she would like to read a book where what is left ambiguous?
5. What is the purpose of the Edvard Munch quote in "Memory, Creation, and Fiction"?
Short Essay Questions
1. In “Tribute to Romare Bearden," Morrison praises Bearden's work as a dialogue between artists; how does she see his work impacting her own?
2. According to “The Writer Before the Page," why does Morrison use allusions to folktales in her writing?
3. In “Faulkner and Women," what does Morrison say Faulkner's influence on her has been?
4. In “God’s Language," what does Morrison say is the problem with trying to use modern language to describe Biblical concepts?
5. In “The Site of Memory," what reasons does Morrison give for finding her inclusion in an anthology about memoir to be both strange and appropriate?
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 “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.
8. According to “The Writer Before the Page," what is the relationship between Hannah Peace and Sula?
9. What point is Morrison trying to illustrate when she brings up Moby Dick in “Unspeakable Things Unspoken"?
10. In “Grendel and His Mother," what does Morrison say is interesting about the Danes' reaction to Grendel, and what does she say this shows about the nature of evil?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In “Unspeakable Things Unspoken,” Morrison says that she almost used the title “Canon Fodder” instead. Analyze the impact that this change might have had on tone and meaning.
Essay Topic 2
In “Women, Race, and Memory,” Morrison evokes the figure of Harriet Tubman. Who is Harriet Tubman, and what associations does Morrison hope to create by telling an anecdote about her?
Essay Topic 3
In “Black Matter(s),” Morrison argues that American literature and “Americanness” have been shaped by the slave trade and by racism against Black Americans. Explain how she supports this claim and then evaluate the strength or weakness of her argument.
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This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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