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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 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Huckleberry Finn recognize about the Negro character, Jim?
(a) Jim can make him lots of money if Huck will return him to his owner.
(b) Jim is not only a slave, but a human being.
(c) Jim is very ill and near death.
(d) Jim knows the landscape and can take Huck anywhere.

2. 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 sold more books than any other American author.
(d) Hemingway was not American.

3. Other white cultures have black face type entertainment, but what is different about American black face?
(a) American black face is always light and fun.
(b) American black face is performed by Negro actors only.
(c) The American history of slavery makes it a "ritual of exorcism."
(d) The American history of inclusive entertainment makes it acceptable.

4. What does Falkner understand about racial social code of the South?
(a) It will never change.
(b) It is fragile and illusionary.
(c) Here today, gone tomorrow.
(d) Destructive to both Negro and white parts of society.

5. Why does Ellison choose to analyze Mark Twain?
(a) Twain was a slave owner and trader.
(b) Twain was married to a Negro woman.
(c) Twain offers a unique historical perspective.
(d) Twain was a humorist.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ralph Ellison's father hope that Ralph will grow up to be?

2. How does Ellison start writing?

3. How does Ellison describe his boyhood experience in Oklahoma?

4. According to Ellison what does the term "the grays" mean?

5. As a child what do Ellison and his boyhood friends believe they are to do?

(see the answer key)

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