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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. What item does Marion think will save her from bankruptcy?

2. What did Hortensia do at night to distract herself from Peter's affair?

3. In what industry did Marion's husband work?

4. Why did Marion give up her career?

5. What is Hortensia's former profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hortensia arrange for Marion to be her nurse?

2. How does Marion perceive race?

3. Why can Marion not sell the painting herself?

4. Why does Dr. Mama visit Hortensia? What is their interaction like?

5. Why does Beulah Gierdien write a letter to the Katterijn community?

6. What is the Samsodien family claiming?

7. How does Marion’s daughter Marelena feel about Marion’s displacement from home?

8. Why does Hortensia not wish to help Beulah Gierdien?

9. How does Marion treat Agnes?

10. Why does Mr. Marx insist that Hortensia meet Esme?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is dialogue essential to the major themes of the novel? What different types of conversations are had and how do they contribute to both the plot and ideas of the book?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the opening and closing scenes of the novel, which both take place at the Koppie. What do these similarities and differences symbolize about the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Hortensia and Marion’s respective treatment and perception of their housekeepers, Bassey and Agnes.

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