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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. How does Granpa help Little Tree relate the lessons about nature to the behavior of some people?

2. At the beginning of the novel, how is Little Tree taken to his new home?

3. At the end of Chapter 1, what kind of house is Little Tree taken to by his grandparents?

4. What is the difference between the author's portrayal of the visitor in Chapter 7 and the way in which the innocent Little Tree views him?

5. What reason does Granpa suggest as the only logical explanation for this law of George Washington's that makes him so angry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give two important place names and one animal's name that occur in chapter 4. Explain why the names are very appropriate.

2. What is the importance of the boot moccasins that Granma makes for Little Tree?

3. What does the reader learn in Chapter 3 about the librarian's attitude to lending books to Little Tree and Granpa when they visit the library?

4. Explain two important symbols used in Chapter 9.

5. How is Granpa's approach to his trade different from that of some whiskey traders to whom he objects?

6. How does the revelation of Granpa's trade help to shed light on the reason for his earlier objection to one of George Washington's laws?

7. How does the author describe the Cherokee response to their oppression along the Trail of Tears?

8. In Chapter 3, what does the author reveal about Granpa's views on politicians and authority figures?

9. What is "The Way" and why does it play a critical role in Little Tree's education?

10. What is the significance of the title of the chapter "I kin ye Bonnie Bee"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is sometimes the case that major characters in a story are used by the author to express his / her own point-of-view. Of all of the characters in "The Education of Little Tree," suggest with reasons, which one(s) you believe is (are) reflecting most closely the author's opinions.

Essay Topic 2

Comment on the importance in a novel of the point-of-view chosen by the writer and discuss with reference to this novel, the strengths and limitations of the "first -person narrative" point-of-view.

Essay Topic 3

In the introduction to the re-issuing of "The Education of Little Tree", the University of New Mexico Press includes the following statement: 'Little Tree is one of those rare books like Huck Finn that each new generation needs to discover and which needs to be read and reread regularly...a fine and sustaining book, wonderfully funny and deeply poignant'.

With special reference to this statement and using detailed references to the text, write a critical analysis of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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