- 1. Tell My Horse by Zora Neale Hurston is an insightful and captivating narrative that explores the rich tapestry of Afro-Caribbean culture, particularly through the lens of Vodou as practiced in Haiti and Jamaica. Published in 1938, the book offers a unique blend of personal experience, cultural anthropology, and folklore, as Hurston recounts her travels to these vibrant regions. In her distinctive style, she weaves together personal anecdotes, interviews with locals, and vivid descriptions of ceremonies and rituals, painting a multifaceted portrait of a world often misunderstood by outsiders. Through her exploration of spirituality, identity, and tradition, Hurston challenges prevailing stereotypes and invites readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of these cultures. The title itself reflects a profound connection to both the horse, symbolizing cultural lineage and communication with the divine, and the imperative to convey this knowledge to a wider audience, ensuring that these narratives and practices are preserved and respected. Hurston's work stands as a testament to her belief in the power of storytelling as a means of cultural preservation and empowerment, inviting readers to engage with the vibrancy of African diasporic traditions in a way that is both enlightening and deeply respectful.
What is the subtitle of Zora Neale Hurston's 'Tell My Horse'?
A) An Anthropological Study of Africa
B) Folklore of the American South
C) Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica
D) A Journey Through the Caribbean
- 2. In which decade did Zora Neale Hurston conduct the research for 'Tell My Horse'?
A) 1920s
B) 1930s
C) 1940s
D) 1950s
- 3. What is the meaning of the title 'Tell My Horse,' derived from Haitian Creole?
A) The title of a folk song
B) A children's game
C) A phrase used by a loa (spirit) possessing a person
D) A command to a farm animal
- 4. Which of the following is a major focus of Hurston's study in the book?
A) Caribbean economic systems
B) The history of slavery in the US
C) Vodou practices and beliefs
D) Hurston's own family history
- 5. Besides Haiti, which other Caribbean island's religious practices does Hurston examine?
A) Puerto Rico
B) Cuba
C) Trinidad
D) Jamaica
- 6. Hurston was not just an anthropologist but also a prominent figure of which literary and cultural movement?
A) Modernism
B) The Beat Generation
C) Transcendentalism
D) The Harlem Renaissance
- 7. What is a 'hounfort' as described in the book?
A) A ceremonial flag
B) A sacred drawing
C) A Vodou temple
D) A type of drum
- 8. Hurston challenges the Western perception of Vodou as primarily being about what?
A) Community celebration
B) Agricultural rituals
C) Ancestor worship
D) Black magic and zombies
- 9. What is a 'veve' in Vodou ritual?
A) A ceremonial robe
B) An offering of food
C) A symbolic drawing on the ground to call a loa
D) A type of prayer chant
- 10. How does Hurston's approach in 'Tell My Horse' differ from many anthropologists of her time?
A) She participated in the rituals she studied.
B) She focused solely on written histories.
C) She avoided all religious topics.
D) She only interviewed political leaders.
- 11. In Jamaican folk religion, what is a 'duppy'?
A) A type of dance
B) A ghost or spirit
C) A village elder
D) A healing herb
- 12. Which powerful female loa is associated with love and jealousy?
A) Damballa
B) Erzulie
C) Ogoun
D) Baron Samedi
- 13. What is the primary language of the Vodou rituals Hurston observed?
A) English
B) Spanish
C) Haitian Creole
D) French
- 14. Which loa is the ruler of the cemetery and is associated with death and resurrection?
A) Baron Samedi
B) Loco
C) Papa Legba
D) Agwe
- 15. Hurston's work is significant for documenting these traditions from the perspective of...
A) An African American woman insider.
B) A Catholic priest.
C) A European colonial official.
D) A medical doctor.
- 16. Which loa is the gatekeeper, the opener of the gates between the spiritual and physical worlds?
A) Erzulie Freda
B) Simbi
C) Azaka
D) Papa Legba
- 17. What is the role of drumming in the ceremonies Hurston describes?
A) To call the loa and induce trance states
B) To signal the start of a meal
C) To warn of danger
D) To accompany storytelling
- 18. Which of these is a Jamaican folk magic practice mentioned by Hurston?
A) Candomble
B) Obeah
C) Santeria
D) Macumba
- 19. Overall, 'Tell My Horse' serves as an important record of Caribbean folk traditions and a challenge to what?
A) The history of European art
B) Caribbean economic policies
C) Western stereotypes and misconceptions
D) The validity of all religions
- 20. Hurston's research in 'Tell My Horse' was funded by which organization?
A) The Rockefeller Foundation
B) The NAACP
C) Harvard University
D) The Guggenheim Foundation
- 21. Hurston witnessed and described the election of which Haitian president?
A) François Duvalier
B) Sténio Vincent
C) Toussaint Louverture
D) Jean-Jacques Dessalines
- 22. Which Jamaican folk figure is associated with trickery?
A) Erzulie
B) Legba
C) Anansi
D) Baron Samedi
- 23. What was a significant methodological approach Hurston used in her research?
A) Statistical analysis
B) Laboratory experiments
C) Participant observation
D) Textual analysis only
- 24. Hurston was critical of the U.S. military occupation of Haiti, which lasted until what year?
A) 1945
B) 1915
C) 1934
D) 1925
- 25. The book was first published in what year?
A) 1938
B) 1952
C) 1945
D) 1927
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