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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 Handful commit to doing after the finds the pieces of the story quilt in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

2. What kind of quilt does Handful begin working with her mother on in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

3. Where does Handful find in the pieces of her mother's story quilt in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

4. Where do the Grimkes place an ad searching for Charlotte after her disappearance in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

5. What is the name of the slave that serves as butler to the Grimke family in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Handful and Nina help Sarah to prepare for in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? Why?

2. What does Mauma intend to do with the money she earns as a hired-out slave in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? What does she tell Handful of her plans?

3. Who is the young man that asks to call on Sarah at Mrs. Alston's party? How is this character described?

4. How has the friendship between Sarah and Handful evolved in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

5. Where does Handful live when her character is introduced in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? How is the hierarchy of this household described?

6. How is the ancestry of the Grimke family described in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? What class are the Grimkes?

7. What incident led to Sarah's speech impediment? What kind of speech impediment does Sarah have?

8. What is Sarah's mother's response when Sarah pleads with her regarding Handful after her eleventh birthday party?

9. What impressions does Denmark Vesey make on Handful and Mauma in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

10. How does Sarah go about attempting to quell her feelings for Burke Williams in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? Is she successful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the courtship and marriage customs in the early 1800s. At what age were young women typically married at this time? How did marriage and courtship customs differ between the upper and lower classes? How did customs differ among the different regions of the country? How are these customs depicted in The Invention of Wings?

Essay Topic 2

Examine and discuss the symbolism of the story quilt in The Invention of Wings. Why does Mauma begin working on the quilt? What is the custom and history behind these types of quilts? What does the quilt symbolize to Mauma? What does it mean to Handful?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the social and political motivations for arresting the congregation of the A.M.E. Church in Part Three, October 1818 – November 1820. Why are the congregation members charged with disorderly conduct? Do those charged receive a fair trial? Where is Handful taken for punishment?

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