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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. Who has not yet bought any holy water?

2. How does Buddy describe Marty?

3. What is Essie's response to Laura's suggestion on buying the Bible?

4. What is the reason for the time they arrive?

5. What does the clerk give Essie when she pays off the Bible?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does previous foreshadowing play out in Chapter 30?

2. What do you think is the significance of Chapter 11's title "Ethiopian Eden"?

3. How is the title of Chapter 34 related to the New Testament?

4. When Essie says she does not want to buy the Bible with gambling money, Laura accuses her of being too holy and too self righteous; from what do you think this accusation stems?

5. What image at the end of this chapter is particularly striking and tells much about Laura?

6. What do you think one of the main themes might be just based upon the differences in the two major characters as shown in this opening chapter?

7. Why do you think the drums always stop just before Laura makes her entrance?

8. How do Laura's and Essie's roles reverse in this chapter?

9. Why is it ironic that Laura is trying to convince Essie to do something positive with her life?

10. What do you think is the symbolism of the rock mentioned in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel is replete with symbolism, especially religious symbolism of a Judea-Christian origin. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Describe all the symbolism around the River of Jordan, its relation to Christianity, its meaning to Blacks as originated with those in slavery in the United States, and how it is used in this novel.

2. Discuss the symbolic meanings of Tambourines in the novel, giving specific examples. How are Tambourines both a symbol of spirituality and materialism? Why do you think the author names the novel TAMBOURINES TO GLORY?

3. Discuss the idea of ascension and how it is symbolized in the novel. How does the idea of ascension differ depending on the character?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment is contrasted to Laura's quest for physical/material gratification. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast the concepts of spiritual fulfillment versus physical/material gratification using both examples from the book and in your own experience.

2. Describe fully Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

3. Describe fully Laura's search for physical/material gratification, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 10, "The Fix" is an interesting juxtaposing of spiritual with moral corruption. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What do you think Laura's motives are for her actions in this chapter, particularly regarding soliciting money from gamblers, pimps and prostitutes and bribing cops?

2. Are Laura's lack of integrity and her resulting actions for a good cause justifiable? Give examples from this chapter and others. Why or why not?

3. Do you think Essie should be more forceful about stopping some of Laura's actions? Do you think she knows about the bribes to cops?

4. What could Essie do to stop Laura now when corruption has not become an established way of life for Laura?

(see the answer keys)

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