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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. Which of the couple's children could not forgive his decision to leave their mother?

2. In "The Sunday Following Mother's Day", on what street was the family's apartment located?

3. How old is Marvin?

4. What does Joyce drink after speaking with Pearl?

5. In "The Store", where was the protagonist's first job?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Store", why does Kentucky criticize the protagonist?

2. Explain how Santiago makes money.

3. How does Mansfield's mistress talk to Lydia about her husband?

4. Discuss the infighting that occurs amongst the Gospelteers.

5. Explain why the judge tells Samuel Williams Sr.'s lawyer that he cannot defend a man who will not defend himself.

6. Discuss Lydia's mother's reaction to the first boy she brings home.

7. In "The Store", how does the protagonist begin his employment at the grocery store?

8. How does Samuel Jr. react when he learns that his sister has kept contact with their father over the years?

9. Describe the woman Mildred's husband had an affair with.

10. In "An Orange Line Train to Ballston", describe the opening of the story.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religion emerges as a significant theme throughout the collection as Jones presents a nuanced approach to this central element of the African-American community. Discuss Jones' commentary on the institution of religion in the community he describes. How does Jones comment on the influence of religion in the African-American community? Is it a purely spiritual institution in the community? Or, does the church also serve a social purpose in the community?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the role and characterization of the police officers in the work. How do the police interact with the characters in Jones' stories? Is the relationship between the characters and the police officers antagonistic? Respectful? What might Jones be saying about the treatment this community receives from its police officers in this collection?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the way in which race emerges as a theme in the stories. Although the book is comprised of a majority of black characters, Jones still approaches and interrogates notions of race in the United States. Using evidence from at least four stories, discuss the way in which Jones treats the topic of race. Why does he choose to focus entirely on African-American characters? How do these characters perceive their own racial identity and place with the society of the United States? Is this perception influenced by generation or class?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 915 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample