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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 Celie say is keeping Shug alive?

2. What does Harpo blame for his strange bruises?

3. What does the term “bright” mean to Harpo?

4. Why is Mr. upset with the townsfolk after Shug moves in with him?

5. Which of the following characters receives most of Mr.’s praise at home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What lesson does Shug teach Celie about her sexuality?

2. What obsessive behavior does Harpo start, and what does this suggest about his character?

3. What changes about Harpo’s life after Sofia leaves him?

4. Why does Celie have trouble sleeping when she thinks about Harpo and Sofia’s relationship?

5. What is unique about the novel’s style, which is made apparent within the first few pages?

6. How does Sofia end up in jail?

7. How do Mr. and Celie come to be married?

8. How many children does Celie give birth to, and what happens to them?

9. What happens when Squeak tries to convince the warden to let Sofia out of jail early?

10. How do Carrie and Kate react when they meet Celie for the first time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Celie’s sexuality. How was she first introduced to sex, and how did that introduction affect her future relationships? What did Shug teach Celie about her sexuality, and how did this lesson change Celie for the rest of the novel? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of spousal abuse. What are the effects of abuse, specifically on women and gender roles? How does the reader see the cycle of abuse, particularly through Harpo’s character? What message is Walker sending about spousal abuse by making Mr. and Celie friends at the end of the novel? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about the day that Celie and Nettie are reunited? What major obstacles did they overcome to be together again in America? How does Celie feel at the end of the novel, and what message does this send to the reader about the value of family? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample