Study Questions

1. What does it mean when Ajax had the conviction that Sula would very soon “like all of her sisters before her, put to him the death-knell question ‘Where have you been?’”

2. Why was Betty angry with Sula?

3. What was Betty’s child’s name?

4. What had Dessie seen that upset her?

5. What was Ajax’s real name?

6. At his arrest, what were the charges against Tar Baby?

7. Why did Ajax leave Sula?

8. What did Mr. Finley do that angered Ajax?

9. What was the first gift that Ajax brought Sula?

10. What item did Sula find which helped her to know that Ajax was not a dream?

Answers

1. Ajax had the conviction that Sula would very soon “like all of her sisters before her, put to him the death-knell question ‘Where have you been?’” This meant that Sula would soon try to control or possess Ajax.

2. Betty was angry with Sula because she believed Sula pushed her son.

3. Betty’s child’s name was Teapot.

4. Dessie was upset because she saw Shadrack tip his imaginary hat to Sula.

5. Ajax’s real name was Albert Jacks.

6. The charges against Tar Baby at his arrest were those of drunkenness.

7. Ajax left Sula because he thought she would become bossy and try to control him.

8. Mr. Finley angered Ajax by beating his own dog.

9. The first gift that Ajax brought Sula was two bottles of milk.

10. The item that Sula found that helped her to know that Ajax was not a dream was Ajax’s driver’s license.