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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 contemplate while standing on the rooftop?

2. Where does Bigger first go after leaving his home the morning after Mary's murder?

3. Where does Bigger make his last stand?

4. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?

5. After he recalls killing Mary Dalton, what did Bigger realize he left in plain sight of his mother and his siblings?

Short Essay Questions

1. When did Bigger realize how quickly news was going to spread that he had killed Mary?

2. What was the argument Bigger had with his family as he tried to pack his things the day after Mary's death?

3. In what ways was Bigger's capture similar to the opening of the book when Bigger chased, eventually killing the rat?

4. What was Bigger's fatal mistake in his plan to dispose of Mary's body?

5. What did Bigger's brother, Buddy, have to say to him?

6. What kind of power did Bigger have over Bessie that she continued to obey his direction even though she knew it was wrong?

7. What is the Loeb and Leopold case that gave Bigger the idea to pretend Mary was kidnapped and collect a ransom?

8. What was Bessie's reaction when Bigger arrived at her apartment the morning after the murder of Mary?

9. The morning after Mary's killing, as Bigger rode the street car on his way back to the Dalton house, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the plight of black people. Explain what Bigger thought would be a solution to their fear and shame.

10. Bigger was very much interested in reading about himself in the newspapers. Of what significance was this?

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

Symbolism of words "White" and "Black"

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, has used the words "Black" and "White" heavily throughout this novel. Write an essay on the symbolism of these words, using several examples of each from the novel. Include whether or not the words influenced you at all as you read it.

(see the answer keys)

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