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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. Where is Fonny at the start of Section 1?

2. How many parts is the novel broken up into?

3. How many months pregnant is Tish is Section 2?

4. What is Fonny's full name?

5. What question does Joseph ask Tish about the baby in Section 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ernestine's nickname for Tish? Why?

2. According to Tish in Section Two, why does Ernestine know their father better than she does?

3. How does Sharon respond when Tish tells her she is pregnant in Section One?

4. In Section One, how does Tish know that Fonny's mother and sister's do not like her?

5. How do Sharon and Joseph meet?

6. How does Joseph respond when Tish tells him she is pregnant in Section Two?

7. How does Tish compare corridors to the Sahara in Section One?

8. How does Tish describe the sculpture that Fonny gives Sharon?

9. How does Tish respond when Adrienne says to her, "I can't believe that you are that stupid" in Section Two?

10. It is very clear in Section Two that Tish and Joseph have a close relationship. How does Baldwin make it clear Joseph adores Tish?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the theme of suffering exist in the novel? Consider different ways that the characters suffer and why.

Essay Topic 2

What does the ending of the novel mean? Consider the possible options and use the final page of the book for evidence to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Do the characters in this novel have agency? Explain.

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