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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 Morrison claim has impoverished literature?

2. Where did Cardinal grow up?

3. Which of the following does Morrison acknowledge?

4. According to Morrison, what does Willa Cather not allow readers to ignore?

5. What is an example of the concept of black figuration?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Morrison describe references to the novel Sapphira and the Slave Girl?

2. How does Morrison describe the world that we live in today, and what effect does it have on her as a writer?

3. Until recently, what did Morrison assume about all readers of American fiction?

4. According to Morrison, what does a black woman represent to literature but not to herself?

5. Describe the character Sapphira and her motives.

6. What are the prevalent themes in Sapphira and the Slave Girl?

7. What is the most significant question that stems from Morrison reading Cardinal's book?

8. Who does Morrison blame for literary whiteness and blackness?

9. What type of language does Morrison struggle with?

10. What does Morrison believe studies of racism focus on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Morrison's Playing in the Dark, she discusses the dichotomies that black people are encouraged to fit into. Black people in literature are seen as markers for the benevolent and wicked, spiritual and voluptuous, sinful and enticing, and pure and restrained. Discuss an example of each of these dichotomies. Then explain why it is harmful for black people to be pushed into these roles constantly in literature.

Essay Topic 2

How does Hemingway portray race in his work? How is Hemingway distant from African-Americans in his work? What does this tell the reader? How does Hemingway show the difference between males and females? How does he relate this to race?

Essay Topic 3

How does early America distinguish itself by pressing toward a future of freedom? What does this mean? How does this movement help Americans escape oppression? How does romance help to evade history?

(see the answer keys)

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