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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. When Bessie again declares she won't help Bigger with is ransom plan, what does bigger do to persuade her?

2. What does Bigger finally do after wandering the streets looking for food and shelter?

3. Before Bigger puts more coal on the fire, what is he certain he sees in the furnace?

4. What goes through Bigger's mind when he hears the music from the church?

5. As Bigger tells his fabricated story about the previous evening to Mr. Dalton and Britten, what is he feeling?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. Why did Bigger decide to try to blame Jan and the Communist Party for the kidnapping?

7. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Use of Actual Historical Events:

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, used actual historical events in the novel to bring more life to the story and to aid in his plot. In particular he mentioned the Scottsboro Boys and the Leob and Leopold Case. Write an essay about these cases and how they fit into the novel. Add any additional points used that were from real historical events.

(see the answer keys)

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