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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 things does Mrs. Dalton question Bigger about when she comes to his room?

2. What happens when the first police officer comes through the trap door to the rooftop?

3. In Book Two Bigger is feeling very confident and powerful, except when he sleeps and dreams. What does he dream about after his first meeting with Britten.

4. When Bigger nearly falls off the ledge, how does the writer describe what he would fall into if he had fallen?

5. What did Buddy tell Bigger happened the night before?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What deterred the Daltons from being excessively concerned when they found Mary wasn't in the house the morning after she was murdered?

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

5. In Book two, what does Bigger do at the drug store?

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

7. What things made the Daltons begin to worry about their daughter being gone?

8. 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.

9. As Bigger arrived at the Dalton home on the morning after Mary's murder how was he feeling?

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

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

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.

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.

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