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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. Who is Pauline waiting for on the water?

2. Where does Fleur go in the middle of the night?

3. Who feeds Pauline fish broth?

4. What does Margaret suggest as a means to save the Pillager land?

5. What does Pauline think God tells her to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the family react to news of the government's fee for their land?

2. Describe the man who comes to Pauline's room and their resulting conversation.

3. Describe Pauline's reasons for going to Lake Matchimanito one last time. What is her purpose and who is she waiting for?

4. How is Eli successful in getting Fleur to give him affection again?

5. What family does the adult Lulu want to marry into? What sort of people are they?

6. Describe the curing ceremony and the excitement that interrupts it.

7. Why do you think Pauline is happy about the Indians losing their lands?

8. Name the unusual penances Pauline imposes on herself. Why does she do these things to herself?

9. Describe the transformation Fleur makes after the baby's death.

10. What secret does Eli reveal to Nanapush about Fleur and her nighttime activities?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the language of the story. Nanapush speaks like nature while Pauline is more civilized. How do these differences work together? How do they present a complete story of the Native Americans?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the transformation that occurs in Fleur over the course of the book. How does Fleur's loss of power mirror the waning power of the Native Americans? Does Fleur lose power during the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the meaning(s) of the book title. What kinds of tracks are there in the book? Are tracks being created or erased or both?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,188 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample