View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. From what culture is the story of La Llorona from as told by the author in this section of the book?

2. Who is the mother goddess who becomes despondent over the loss of her daughter to the Underworld god?

3. What is the significance of the skin that the person ends up finding for the woman? It is her ________.

4. The reason this person or persons began to treat the woman badly after the suicide of her husband is that they ______________.

5. Estes refers to a woman's natural creative powers as __________ that nourishes the woman and sustains her.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the Weeping Woman ends up at the Gates of Heaven in the story in this section?

2. What is the relationship between the man and the woman in the story called the Weeping Woman?

3. What didn't the parents of the dead husband want to admit to themselves, so they were cruel to the widow?

4. What did the older woman healer do with the hair once the wife returned from her journey with it?

5. What does the author explain the seal skin is in the context of this story and in the context of women as a whole?

6. What is the idea that the author introduces to the reader which will make the stories helpful?

7. What does Estes suggest to the reader as being a helpful way to relieve the shame of holding a secret?

8. Why did the husband begin to sleep outside after he came home from war?

9. What was the problem when the husband went off to war and then did not come back for a few years?

10. What does Estes mean by the idea of a double-bind when it comes to secrets kept by women?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of transformation is one that seems to be addressed frequently in the stories the author has to share.

Part 1: Why do you think the idea of transformation is so important in this book?

Part 2: Do you think that everyone goes through a period of transformation in their lives? Why or why not?

Part 3: What might happen if a person was never to transform in their lives?

Essay Topic 2

The man who is strange looking convinces the sisters that if they were to stay with him, they would change their perspective of him.

Part 1: Do you think it's important to try to face down one's fears and beliefs? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you think the sisters could have been more open to the man and to his appearance?

Part 3: Do you think you can always learn to like someone when you get to know them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Baubo entertains Demeter so that she can deal with the loss of her daughter Persephone and begin to seek out her daughter again.

Part 1: Do you think that humor is necessary in order to survive in life? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you use humor in your life? Do you use it to help you through tough times? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think Demeter responds so favorably to the use of humor by Baubo?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample