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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. Why does Yolanda steer Andrew away from his aunt and momma?
2. How does Shirley respond to Yolanda's attempt to make up?
3. How is Vic helping Andrew?
4. What does Yolanda do as the crowd gets rowdy?
5. Why is Yolanda upset about what Stoney Buxton tells her?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Aunt Tiny do for a living, and how does that help Yolanda's family?
2. How does Yolanda feel after Shirley leaves and what does she say to her aunt Tiny about Shirley?
3. What does Momma want Yolanda to study in college and what are Yolanda's ambitions?
4. Who admires Yolanda standing up to Romulus, and what is Yolanda's response to his admiration?
5. Why doesn't there seem to be any way back stage?
6. What happens when Momma finally notices Andrew's new harmonica?
7. What "epiphany" does Yolanda have when she is at the park?
8. How does Yolanda explain all her questions to the security guards?
9. What does Yolanda do when she sees the bullies in Asphalt Hill?
10. What does Yolanda do when she sees two female security guards?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:
1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?
2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Yolonda's Genius" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Yolonda's Genius"? Why or why not.
3. Choose one specific incident in "Yolonda's Genius" to discuss, and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.
Essay Topic 2
Over the course of "Yolonda's Genius", Yolanda grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Yolonda's Genius" might be considered a slice of Yolanda's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that the story is a "bildungsroman" of the narrator. Discuss the following:
1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.
2. Trace and analyze Yolanda as she changes from a somewhat rigid, bigoted girl to a wiser, less rigid girl. What are the significant events that change her?
3. After thoroughly analyzing the narrator's growth throughout "Yolonda's Genius", do you think the novel could be considered Yolanda's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?
4. Are there any other characters in "Yolonda's Genius" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?
Essay Topic 3
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols, then trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the symbols she does?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the metaphors she does?
3. Discuss Fenner's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Fenner use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)
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This section contains 1,217 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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