- 1. On Beauty by Zadie Smith is a richly textured novel that explores themes of race, identity, and the complexities of family life against the backdrop of contemporary America and Britain. The narrative centers around Howard Belsey, a British art history professor at a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts, and his wife Kiki, an African American woman who runs a hair salon. Their multicultural family, comprising three children with distinct personalities and aspirations, grapples with the challenges of cultural dislocation and the search for belonging. Smith intricately weaves various perspectives throughout the story, illustrating the clash between Belsey's secular and academic world and the more traditional, religious values embodied by a rival academic, Levi, who is at the center of a romantic and ideological conflict. The novel deftly examines the intersections of beauty, art, and race, as well as the disarray of personal relationships, leaving readers to ponder the nature of love, acceptance, and the complexities of human connection in a divided society. With its vibrant prose and multi-layered characters, On Beauty is both a commentary on the contemporary landscape and a profound reflection on the human experience.
Who is the protagonist in 'On Beauty'?
A) Kiki Belsey
B) Howard Belsey
C) Zora Belsey
D) Leah Belsey
- 2. What profession does Howard Belsey have?
A) Master painter
B) Art history professor
C) Art curator
D) Art critic
- 3. Which character is Howard's wife?
A) Carl Belsey
B) Zora Belsey
C) Kiki Belsey
D) Victoria Belsey
- 4. What literary style is 'On Beauty' written in?
A) Mystery thriller.
B) Realism with elements of satire.
C) Fantasy fiction.
D) Poetic prose.
- 5. What major event strains Howard and Kiki's marriage?
A) Howard's infidelity
B) Kiki's health issues
C) Loss of family members
D) Financial troubles
- 6. What is Howard’s relationship to his students?
A) It is strictly professional.
B) It is complex and sometimes confrontational.
C) It is entirely supportive.
D) It is primarily distant.
- 7. What familial relationship defines the story's central dynamics?
A) Parent-child relationships
B) Grandparent-grandchild bond
C) Siblings rivalry
D) Cousins' friendship
- 8. Which character is a right-wing antagonist to Howard?
A) Carl Belsey
B) Monty Kipps
C) Zora Belsey
D) Leo Belsey
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