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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bigger tell his friend Gus he could do if he had the chance?

2. Tell whom the lone witness to Bigger's crime is?

3. After winning the battle with "the beast" what does Bigger do?

4. Where does Bigger Thomas and his family live?

5. What does Bigger realize after Mrs. Dalton leaves Mary's bedroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did he find outside near the car on the night of Mary's death, and what did he do with it?

2. How does Bigger feel about his family?

3. Why does Bigger seem to take an instant dislike to Mary Dalton?

4. After Bigger realized Mary was dead, why didn't he even consider just telling the truth?

5. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

6. What was the story Bigger planned to tell when he returned in the morning?

7. Describe Bigger's home.

8. Explain the game, "White," that Bigger and his friends played.

9. Why did Bigger decide to put Mary's body in the trunk?

10. Why does Bigger get so angry and violent with Gus when he says he'll go along with the robbery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the very end of the story Max is upset when Bigger comes to the conclusion that it must have been good that he killed. In an essay explain Bigger's reasoning and how he came to that conclusion. Also explain what Max is trying to make Bigger understand after he comes to this conclusion. Why might the two men have different views on this subject?

Essay Topic 2

Fear, Flight and Fate Themes:

Write an essay about the way each of these themes were demonstrated in the story. Did any of them intertwine? If so, when/how?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the way the author, Richard Wright wrote this story, demonstrates both sides of the "nature versus nurture" theory. This is particularly strong when Max testifies to the court about Bigger's life. In the essay describe various parts of the story and how they reinforce both aspects of the theory.

(see the answer keys)

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