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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sue urge Reva to do?

2. Where does Booker say the Sheriff is?

3. What is one thing Sue thinks about doing?

4. What does the Sheriff threaten to do if Sue does not talk to her son?

5. How do they break Johnny-Boy's knees?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The fact that the story takes place on a cold, rainy night is significant in that it represents the despair that Sue has endured thus far in her life.

1. Why might the weather be symbolic of the tone of the story? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

2. What is symbolism in a story and how does the author use it to convey undertones of meaning?

3. Do you think symbolism makes a story more interesting? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

We also see that, despite her son's beliefs, Sue still feels a great deal of hate and distrust with respect to white people.

1. Do you think Sue's feelings towards white people are justified?

2. Some people call the idea of minorities hating the majority "reverse prejudice." What do you think this means and do you believe it exist?

Essay Topic 3

While it may seem inconceivable for a mother to stand by and watch her son be tortured, Sue knows that the emotional pain her son would feel if the other members of the party were seized would be far greater. And so, out of love for her son, she stands quietly by and does not respond to the sheriff's demands.

1. Do you think Sue was right or wrong to worry about her son's emotional pain? Why or why not?

2. How does Sue demonstrate her strength as she stands by while her son is tortured?

3. Do you think you could have done what Sue did? Why or why not?

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This section contains 387 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample