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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 does Joe do to hurt Janie in Chapter 8?

2. What does Hurston compare Janie's funeral veil to?

3. What does Janie realize she feels for her grandmother?

4. What do the other children tease Janie about?

5. Where does Janie get a doctor from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Joe Starks' appearance.

2. Explain how Janie earns the name "Alphabet."

3. What are the circumstances surrounding Joe's death?

4. What is Janie's first impression of Tea Cake in Chapter 10?

5. Why is Joe so angry and embarrassed when Janie finally speaks up to him?

6. Describe Nanny's reaction, in Chapter 3, to hearing that Janie is unhappy.

7. Describe Janie's feelings on love and marriage in Chapter 3.

8. Why do the other children make fun of Janie and refuse to play with her?

9. Describe Janie's appearance.

10. How do the people of Eatonville view Joe Starks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the frame story (a story within a story) is used in the novel. How is it an effective storytelling tool? How does it resemble folklore or folktales? In what way can the reader better understand the story through Janie's eyes because the story is told in this way?

Essay Topic 2

Is Janie's story an analogy of the repression of African Americans or women? Support your answer with references to and examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the title Their Eyes Were Watching God? What does this title reveal about Janie's journey toward self-realization? Is the title a statement about Janie or other characters? Does the title imply a sense of waiting or searching? How?

(see the answer keys)

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