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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. In her aunt' home, Helga's innate desire for things

2. Helga wishes that the school would not

3. Helga found her job with the help of

4. When she realizes what Axel Olsen is implying, Helga feels

5. Helga wants to leave Naxos because

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Helga feeling regret as she leaves Naxos? Why or why not? Is this a good move for her career? Is sh being responsible?

2. Dr. Anderson has almost talked Helga into staying at Naxos. What triggers her rage, and why?

3. Explain Helga's repulsed fascination with the Negro performers. Why does she return over and over to see them? Is this helping her somehow?

4. Is it clear whether Helga is liked by her peers or colleagues? If so, is it genuine? Is Helga a likable person?

5. Why did Uncle Peter's wife reject Helga? Is she an unreasonable woman? Is she cruel? Explain your answers.

6. What is Helga's reasoning for not wanting children? Is this just a defense mechanism on her part? Why, or why not?

7. To what do you suppose Helga is attracted in Dr. Anderson? (Hint: Up until now, the author repeatedly mentions a certain aspect of him.)

8. What does the story imply about Mrs. Hayes-Rore's husband? In what might he have been involved? Explain your answers, quoting text.

9. Why would Helga become alienated in a school for Negro children? What makes her different from other faculty.

10. What is Anne's problem with Audrey Denny? Does her hate toward Audrey make any sense? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a well-researched essay on the effects of early American blues music on women's sexuality and the perceptions that surrounded it, before and since. Was there a "code" of sexuality for women during the 20s in black Harlem? How did music influence or coincide with that code?

Essay Topic 2

What is the current level of poverty among African Americans in the American South? Choose three southern states and compare and contrast the income levels, education and population densities and racial demographics. To what can you attribute the variations among the three states?

Essay Topic 3

From a woman's perspective, did Larsen break ground for or elevate women in her writing? For blacks? For black women? How did Larsen's characters portray women, in general? Was it constructive? Do the characters provide an example of strong, evolving womanhood? Why, or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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