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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. In "The woman from America," who does Bessie say are always in the majority?

2. What was Bessie's biggest frustration in "An Unspeakable Crime"?

3. Why does Bessie believe that the artist Gladys Mgudlandlu is so successful?

4. In Bessie's opinion, South African refugees are generally, what?

5. In "Village people," what kind of porridge do they have for every meal?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bessie so drawn to the American woman in "Woman from America"?

2. What are Bessie's beliefs about racists?

3. In "An Unspeakable Crime," why does Bessie feel discouraged by the South African blacks?

4. In "preface to Witchcraft," why is Bessie angry with South Africa?

5. How was African Independence celebrated in Botswana?

6. Why is there no rage and oppression in Botswana?

7. What did Bessie think of the mission orphanage that she was sent to at age 13?

8. How does Bessie describe Botswana in 1964?

9. In 1982, Bessie writes about her reaction when people discussed her writing. Why did she get so frustrated?

10. In 1966, what changes were made regarding refugees in Botswana?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The American woman filled Bessie's world when she arrived in Serowe. Describe her physical characteristics. What made her stand out in the village? What did Bessie come to see her as? If Bessie would have been a more religious person, do you think she would have attributed the "Nigra Goddess" characteristics to the American woman? Was this filling a void for her where religion might have been? Or, do you think that she truly saw God in this woman? The American woman could at times be harsh with Bessie. Was this fair to Bessie? Was there any way that the she could relate to the horrors that Bessie had experienced in her life? Do you think that she was harsh because she thought that Bessie was self-absorbed? Or, do you think that she was harsh because she was trying to encourage Bessie to close the door on the past and move forward by thinking of and helping others?

Essay Topic 2

Bessie's views of the white man were formed at an early age. List two experiences in Bessie's early life that you think had a profound effect on her opinion of the white man? List the experiences and Bessie's response to them. Later in life, Bessie was able to see some good in the white man and her hatred lessened. Explain the person and the circumstances surrounding this.

Essay Topic 3

When Bessie spent four months in Iowa researching a book, she was surprised to discover that America was not as she had imagined. How did she compare America to the villages of early Europe? Was it easy for her to adapt to life there? Was she able to develop her "all-important" routine there? What did it consist of? What were her thoughts on the university library? What was she surprised and excited to find there? Do you think that Bessie had pre-conceived notions about America? Do you think that her stay in Iowa gave her a broader, more accurate picture of America? How do you think she would have described it and the people after her trip?

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