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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 is Elijah's role in the story?

2. What is the major topic of gossip in Chapter 1?

3. Why is Spunk seen as a hero?

4. How can Joe be described?

5. What does Joe clutch in his hand in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Joe react when Spunk seduces Lena? Do you think he would have reacted differently if Spunk had not been so intimidating?

2. What does Walter think about Spunk killing Joe?

3. Why does Spunk move Lena into the Bradley house?

4. Why do you think the court decided that Spunk acted out of self-defense?

5. Who is the winner of Hurston's story? How so?

6. What does Spunk seem to think the bobcat is?

7. How is the fact that Spunk is not able to use his gun to kill the bobcat ironic?

8. What is Spunk's reaction immediately following Joe's death? How is it different from Lena's reaction?

9. Do you think there is any competition between Joe and Spunk? Why or why not?

10. At what point does Spunk become paranoid that Joe is haunting him? How does this relate to his occupation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of Hurston's work, "Spunk," seems straightforward, yet it indicates a particular significance about one character. In your opinion, why does Hurston choose this particular title? What does this title signify? What does it tell readers about the story?

Essay Topic 2

There are several instances of irony in Hurston's book. Identify at least one of these instances and describe why Hurston may have used irony when describing this particular situation.

Essay Topic 3

Identify at least three instances of foreshadowing in Hurston's novel. Why would these instances be included? How would the story change if they had not been included?

(see the answer keys)

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