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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 is Loretta's situation at the beginning of the second book?

2. Where does Mrs. Wendall live after Howard's death?

3. What does Jules struggle with after Howard's funeral?

4. What does Howard do for Loretta?

5. What happens to Jules on one of the nights when he runs away?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why hasn't Maureen been able to get a job?

2. What happens the night that Jules runs away and Loretta is frantic to find him?

3. What does Jules learn about Bernard in Chapter 4 of the second book?

4. What happens to Howard in Chapter 10 of the first book?

5. What is Loretta's reputation as a teenager?

6. What is Jules doing while Maureen is recovering?

7. How does Jules seduce Nadine?

8. How does Jules meet Bernard?

9. How does Jules feel about the riot fires on the streets of Detroit?

10. How does Jules get a rifle during the riot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bernard is a minor character, who plays an important role in the novel. Why is his character in the novel for such a short time? What is his impact on Jules' life? Why is his character in such sharp contrast to the other characters in the novel? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Jules's experience with fire is mentioned throughout the novel. How did his early experiences with fire shape his violent tendencies later on in life? Why is Jules so preoccupied with the concept of fire? How does his preoccupation with it tie into his participation in the race riots? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Violence is another prominent theme throughout the course of the novel. How do violent actions, perpetuated by the main characters and others, affect the lives of the main characters? What changes occur as a result of these actions? Why does the theme of violence seem so closely related with the theme of poverty? Do you think that a less poverty-stricken lifestyle would have resulted in less violence in the lives of the main characters? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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