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

2. What is Mauma's full name in the novel?

3. By what year had all the northern states abolished slavery?

4. How much do the slave records indicate Mauma is worth when she examines them in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

5. What island can Handful see from the shore that thrills her in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the narrator describe Sarah's appearance in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? How is Sarah regarded by her parents?

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

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

5. How are Handful's feelings about Sarah described when Handful is seventeen in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

6. 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?

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

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

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

10. What leads to Mauma being allowed to be hired out in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How much does she earn in this manner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss American abolitionist, suffragist, author, and speaker Sarah Grimke. When and where was Sarah Grimke born? How did author Sue Monk Kidd go about researching this historical figure for her novel? How much liberty did the author take in creating a story around Sarah Grimke’s life and experiences? Is Sarah Grimke a likable protagonist?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character of Mrs. Mary Grimke in the novel. How old is Mrs. Grimke when her character is introduced? How many children does she have? What expectations does Mrs. Grimke have of her children? What expectations does Mrs. Grimke have of her slaves? Is Mrs. Grimke a likable character? Why or why not?

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?

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