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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 do after he puts Mary to bed?

2. What is the theme of the movie Bigger and Jack go to see?

3. After meeting Mrs. Dalton, what two things does Bigger note about her?

4. Who does Bigger decide to blame for Mary's death?

5. What does Bigger decide to do with Mary's body next?

Short Essay Questions

1. After all the gory details of the way he disposed of Mary's body, how was Bigger reacting?

2. Why did Bigger want to kill the cat?

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

4. Describe Bigger's home.

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

6. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

7. Why did Bigger help Mary to her room instead of waking her parents and letting them know her drunken condition?

8. How does Bigger feel about his family?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are places in the story where Bigger demonstrates a keen ability to visualize a situation ahead of time to evaluate the outcomes. Was this an advantage or disadvantage to him in the story? Give examples in the essay.

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