The Round House by Louise Erdrich
  • 1. The Round House by Louise Erdrich is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the complexities of identity, family, and the impact of crime on a tight-knit Native American community in North Dakota. Set in the early 1980s, the story follows thirteen-year-old Joe Coutts, whose life is turned upside down when his mother, Geraldine, becomes a victim of a brutal assault. As Joe navigates the tumultuous landscape of adolescence, he embarks on a quest for justice, struggling to protect his family and his cultural heritage. The novel intricately weaves together themes of racial tension, the legal system's inadequacies regarding tribal law, and the sacred nature of the land symbolized by the titular Round House. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, Erdrich illuminates the heart of a community grappling with trauma, resilience, and the quest for healing, ultimately revealing how love and courage can emerge from the darkness of violence and despair.

    Who is the protagonist of 'The Round House'?
A) Joe Coutts
B) Grandpa
C) Lindsey Coutts
D) Basil
  • 2. What is Joe's father's profession?
A) Judge
B) Police officer
C) Teacher
D) Lawyer
  • 3. What does Joe seek to find throughout the novel?
A) His lost dog
B) Treasure
C) The identity of his mother's attacker
D) A family secret
  • 4. What does the Round House represent in the story?
A) An ancient ruin
B) A family home
C) A prison
D) A place of healing and justice
  • 5. What role does Joe's friendship with his classmates play?
A) Isolation and loneliness
B) Rivalry and competition
C) Betrayal and distrust
D) Support and camaraderie
  • 6. How is the theme of cultural identity explored?
A) Through Western perspectives only
B) By focusing on urban life
C) Through the characters' connections to their heritage
D) By ignoring cultural context
  • 7. What form of literature is 'The Round House' classified as?
A) Short story
B) Biography
C) Poetry
D) Novel
  • 8. What is the relationship between Joe and his mother?
A) Conflicted
B) Nonexistent
C) Close
D) Distant
  • 9. Who is the antagonist of the novel?
A) The police chief
B) The judge
C) A rival family
D) The rapist
  • 10. What year does the story take place?
A) 2001
B) 1995
C) 1988
D) 1970
  • 11. How does the novel address the theme of family?
A) By excluding family dynamics
B) By portraying families as perfect
C) By showing families in turmoil only
D) Through Joe's relationships and struggles
  • 12. What type of narrative style is used in the novel?
A) Second-person
B) Stream of consciousness
C) First-person
D) Third-person omniscient
  • 13. What is a significant location in the novel?
A) The school
B) The church
C) The Round House
D) The town hall
  • 14. What does Joe learn about justice throughout the novel?
A) It's complex and often flawed
B) It's a black and white issue
C) It's irrelevant
D) It's always served
  • 15. Who informs Joe about his mother's trauma?
A) Rita
B) The police
C) Bazil
D) Gilbert
  • 16. What crime is Joe's mother a victim of?
A) Theft
B) Rape
C) Robbery
D) Assault
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