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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 1, The Seer and the Seen, Section 5.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Hemingway carries on Twain's technical discoveries in writing but loses what?
(a) Twain's political and social construct.
(b) Twain's humor and light approach to storytelling.
(c) Twain's understanding that technique is to be used in the service of truth.
(d) Twain's focus on American subjects.

2. How old is Stephen Crane when he dies?
(a) 92.
(b) 29.
(c) 102.
(d) 50.

3. What does Ellison say the greatest difficulty for the Negro writer is?
(a) Capture the Negro speech idiom and put it down on paper.
(b) Find a subject worthy of his time and effort.
(c) Reveal what he truly feels rather than serving up what Negroes are supposed to feel.
(d) Get someone to publish him because most of the publishers were white.

4. Why does Ellison choose to analyze Ernest Hemingway?
(a) Hemingway ignored the dramatic and symbolic possibilities a Negro character would present.
(b) Hemingway grew up in Oklahoma City also.
(c) Hemingway was not American.
(d) Hemingway sold more books than any other American author.

5. What does Ellison believe writing is?
(a) Ethical instrument.
(b) A way to criticize others.
(c) Mindless activity.
(d) Channeling of higher beings.

Short Answer Questions

1. What specific folk art form does "Black Boy" reflect?

2. What are the three themes of "Shadow and Act" according to the Introduction?

3. Who is Stephen Crane?

4. Which critics of "Black Boy" does Ellison want to respond to?

5. What does Huckleberry Finn recognize about the Negro character, Jim?

(see the answer key)

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