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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 form is "Crossing the River" written in?

2. What does Len announce when he comes home in December, 1943?

3. How does Hamilton spend his three months on the coast?

4. What does the Voice of Africa concede at the end of "Somewhere in England"?

5. Who is the man that knew Captain Hamilton's father and had done business with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Joyce's mother?

2. Describe Joyce's marriage to Len.

3. What is the state of the supply of slaves when Hamilton is on the coast?

4. What journey does James Hamilton take?

5. What happened to James Hamilton's father?

6. How is "Crossing the River" written (in what format)?

7. What does Ellis say concerning Hamilton's father's death?

8. What happened during the tornado in "Crossing the River"?

9. What resulted from Joyce's relationship with Herbert, and how did she deal with it?

10. How does Captain Hamilton reconcile his Christian beliefs with his professional dealings in slavery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Christianity is a theme that runs throughout each story in Crossing the River. Choose two stories to compare in regards to the way Christianity influences characters. How do the characters' beliefs influence the plot? How do they reconcile their actions with their beliefs? Make sure you name which stories you choose, and use examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Each character in "The Pagan Coast," such as the American Colonization Society and Madison, represents a perspective or theme of the time period. For example, Edward represents the white Christian's perspective of a person who owns slaves, yet pities them, so he tries to bring them up to his level by teaching them white civility. Explore two characters' perspectives or themes that they present in the story. Make sure your answer analyzes them in detail, providing evidence through the use of examples found in the story.

Essay Topic 3

In "Somewhere in England," there are various characters with their own different backgrounds, goals, and ideas. Joyce is first married to an Englishman and then has an interracial relationship. How does Joyce's marriage to Len contrast with her relationship with Travis? How are these relationships different in the eyes of society? Which do they scrutinize more and why? Make sure you answer each question thoroughly, using examples to support your answer.

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This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample