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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 much is Handful's worth, according to the slave records that Mauma examines in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

2. Where does the Grimke family live in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

3. How old is Handful when her character is first introduced in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

4. Where do the Grimkes go for Easter Service in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

5. How old is Sarah Grimke when she is allowed to venture out of the nursery and is given a waiting maid in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the custom of slaves attending white churches described in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Where did the slaves sit in church?

2. Why does Mr. Grimke take his family to their upcountry estate in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How does Sarah respond?

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

4. What story does Handful recall in the opening of Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Who told Handful this story?

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

6. Who has Mauma begun having an affair with in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How is this character described?

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

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

9. What items from the Grimke household go missing in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Who steals these items?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of slavery and abuse in The Invention of Wings. How is this theme reflected through the punishments, limitations, and desires of Handful and Mauma? How has the presence of slavery influenced Sarah as a character? How has it influenced Nina Grimke?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of friendship in The Invention of Wings. Why is the developing friendship between Sarah and Handful a source of conflict in the narrative? What bonds do Sarah and Grimke share? How is their friendship tested in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Handful in The Invention of Wings. How old is Handful when her character is first introduced? What is Handful’s daily life like at this time? Where does Handful fit into the hierarchy at the Grimke household? How does Handful’s character evolve through the course of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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