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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 does Vera Louise do with True Belle's wages?

2. Why does Alice move back to Springfield?

3. Why does Dorcas tell Joe she wants to break up with him?

4. Who ends up calling an ambulance for Dorcas?

5. Why does Dorcas like Acton better than Joe?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dorcas break up with Joe?

2. In Chapter Eight, what does Dorcas notice about Joe?

3. Describe the initial meeting between Golden Gray and his father in Chapter Seven.

4. Describe Vera Louise's father's reaction when he is told Vera Louise is pregnant.

5. In Chapter Eight, why does the narrator say Dorcas is getting tired of Joe?

6. Describe the way Dorcas is feeling at the party in the beginning of Chapter Eight.

7. In Chapter 10, why does Joe get a new job? Does this help his relationship with Violet?

8. Who are the only people who do not know that Vera Louise has a son with a black man?

9. Describe what Violet sees when she first spots Felice in Chapter Nine.

10. Describe Acton's reaction to the shooting of Dorcas in Chapter Eight.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Violet described in the initial portion of the novel? Do you think this is a fair description of Violet's character? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the significance of Malvonne's presence in Morrison's novel. What does the character of Malvonne add to the plot? What is the story like if Morrison does not include such an antagonist?

Essay Topic 3

How do you describe the development of the relationship between Alice and Violet? Why do you think Violet is so determined to befriend Alice? What benefits do both women derive from the relationship?

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