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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Poem Ten, at what time do women from Louisiana shell peas?

2. What is the story about in Poem Twelve?

3. According to the narrator of Poem Fourteen, what is she looking for in a man?

4. Which character narrates Poem Eleven?

5. What is the title of Poem Seventeen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the playwright use sexuality and sensuality to describe the differences that exist between African American women and women of other races? Why does the author use sexuality and sensuality to show differences between women of different races? Please use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

How does the author portray African American culture in the play? What is significant about her portrayal? Please use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Poem nineteen, "A Nite with Beau Wille Brown," is a longer narrative than many of the other poems in the play. Why do you think Shange chose to make this poem a longer narrative than the others in the play? How else does this poem differ from the others in the play? Please use examples from the book to support your answer.

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This section contains 268 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample