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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. How did Mrs. Hedges once embarrass Jones?

2. What disturbs Lutie about the woman sitting at the open window at the apartment building?

3. Who approaches Lutie just as she is about to leave Junto's?

4. According to Granny, how do the meats in the butcher shop keep their fresh color?

5. What's wrong with Min's feet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lutie slaps Bub when she sees him with a shoe shining kit. Why does a shoe shining kit inspire such rage in Lutie?

2. Who does Lutie hold responsible for the end of her marriage?

3. Why has Lutie failed, up until Chapter 9, to consider that Bub might be afraid of staying home alone?

4. Why does Lutie refuse to wear the blouse crushed by Jones?

5. Lutie leaves the butcher shop and is in light spirits. As she walks home, she notices that the women are burdened by marketing bags and on their way home to take care of their families after a long day of work. She also notes that the men lounge around watching the women. How does Lutie feels about this distinction?

6. How does Min's relationship with Jones reflect the relationships in her past?

7. Describe how Jones and Lutie view one another.

8. Lutie first begins to measure people and their intentions in Chapter 1. How do you rate Lutie's ability to read people? Do you think she is accurate in her summations?

9. Considering Lutie's failed marriage and Jim's inability to provide for his family, what sort of future does Boots offers Lutie?

10. How does chapter 3 illustrate the racism and sexism faced by Lutie? Provide at least 1 example of each.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the book's end, Lutie makes the decision to abandon her son. In her mind, she will be of no use to Bub as a murderer. Bub, who has been the center of her concern for the entire book, is suddenly and seemingly dismissed. As a reader, was this an action you could have predicted? If so, which of Lutie's qualities led you to believe she was capable of this type of behavior? If not, do you think this behavior is believable? Has the author acted within the limits of the character's personality?

Essay Topic 2

Jones is not well received by the neighborhood. His strange behaviors intensify this rejection, yet Jones makes no efforts to alter his behaviors so that he might be deemed acceptable to his neighbors. What does this refusal reflect about Jones? What does his rejection reflect about the community? How is Jones' treatment similar to Lutie's treatment, in terms of the sexism and racism she experiences? Use ideas from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Lutie becomes hysterical when she finds that her son is in possession of a shoe shining kit. She rationalizes her behavior by claiming that Bub's decision to shine shoes will ultimately lead him down a path of mediocrity. Why is Lutie unable to see the practical convenience of her son helping out with the household expenses? How does this failure to be practical reflect the effects of racism on Lutie's outlook? Do you agree with Lutie's decision not to allow her son to help her care for the family? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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