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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 Joe ask Janie to do?

2. Why does Joe get mad at Janie in Chapter 6?

3. Where is Joe Starks from?

4. What has been Joe's source of power so far in the novel?

5. How do the men in town feel about Jody toward the end of Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the major differences between Joe Starks and Logan Killicks?

2. How does Janie feel about marrying again after Joe is gone?

3. Describe Nanny's reaction, in Chapter 3, to hearing that Janie is unhappy.

4. How do the men in Eatonville view women?

5. Describe Janie's appearance.

6. What things about Janie make Joe jealous?

7. Describe your impression of the relationship between Pheoby and Janie.

8. What are the circumstances surrounding Joe's death?

9. Describe what happens with the mule in Chapter 6.

10. What do Janie's neighbors normally do after a long day's work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the different symbols that are used in the book to represent Janie's situation as her story progresses -- the mule, the pear tree, etc.

Essay Topic 2

What impact does the colloquial dialect used in the novel have on the story and how readers relate to the characters? Discuss both the negative and positive effects that the characters' manner of speaking has the development of key elements of the story (e.g. characterization, setting, plot, themes, etc.).

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the title Their Eyes Were Watching God? What does this title reveal about Janie's journey toward self-realization? Is the title a statement about Janie or other characters? Does the title imply a sense of waiting or searching? How?

(see the answer keys)

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