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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. According to the pastor's first act sermon, what is an example of an activity one does when one's "mind ain't on the Lord"?

2. Who was out late the night before the church service in the first act?

3. Before the curtain rises in the first act, there are street sounds including laughter, cursing, and a radio. What other sound is heard?

4. Who went downtown and saw Luke the night before the first scene?

5. What scenery does the play open with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what you know about Sister Rice from Act II?

2. What unholy things does Margaret preach against in Act I, and why are they unholy?

3. How does Margaret respond after Luke dies?

4. When Sister Moore asks if anyone needs special attention in the first scene, a young woman named Ida Jackson comes up. What does Ida Jackson want?

5. In Act I, we learn that Margaret will be leaving after the service to visit a sister church in Philadelphia. What is the purpose of her trip.

6. Describe the Alexander home in the play.

7. Why does Margaret demand that David turn off the music on the phonograph in Act II?

8. Margaret compares the story of King Hezekiah's story to a possible situation of the congregation. What situation does she compare the biblical story to?

9. What gossip concerning David does Brother Boxer share with his wife and Sister Moore in Act I?

10. What does Act II tell you about Sister Sally?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Luke's bedroom is dark throughout the play, except for the one time that Luke asks his son to lift the shade. Even before Luke arrives, the beginning narrative of Act I states that Luke's bedroom is "a small, dark room." Are the light and dark symbolic?

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is used during "The Amen Corner." Baldwin makes a point of saying that Ida Jackson is "not dressed in white" in Act I and that Sisters Moore and Boxer are dressed in white in the final act. Discuss the use of and meaning of the color white.

Essay Topic 3

The two strongest female characters in "The Amen Corner" are Margaret and Sister Moore. Compare and contrast these two characters. How are they alike. How are they different?

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