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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. Why does Ellison choose to analyze William Falkner?

2. Who is Stephen Crane?

3. That Ellison's first novel might win a prestigious award makes him think what?

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

5. Violence is inflicted upon Wright by family, friends, and society as a whole. What is his response?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ellison admire most about "The Primer for White Folks?"

2. Why was the young Ellison drawn to reading?

3. Ellison originally wanted to be a musician. What changed for him?

4. Why does Ellison choose to write about Faulkner?

5. How does Ellison leave the rather bitter dialogue with Howe?

6. What is the "hidden name" Ellison is referring in the title of his speech to the Library of Congress in 1064?

7. How did a library for Negro persons emerge in Oklahoma City?

8. What does Ellison compare Wright's personal journey of blooming to?

9. What were the two greatest influences upon Crane's life, in Ellison's estimation?

10. What writers are at issue in the exchange between Irving Howe and Ralph Ellison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ellison's childhood is joyful and full of many artistic influences. What in the interview "That Same Pain, That Same Pleasure" gives you the most insight into his childhood? What activities stir up in the young Ellison that romantic longing and belief that any kind of life is possible? How does music and dance affect his life? Who are his heroes? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Ellison poetically describes a lost and lovely world in "The Golden Age, Time Past." Minton's Playhouse is an amalgamation of home, community, the South, and the noisy excitement of New York City. What influence does Henry Minton have upon the jazz musicians he nurtures? What is the atmosphere like? How is creativity nourished?

Essay Topic 3

In the four articles on musicians written for the Saturday Review, Ellison explores the development of each individual artist. What do Mahalia Jackson, Charlie Parker, Charlie Christian and Jimmy Rushing have in common? Why does Ellison choose both nationally famous and locally famous musicians to write about? How are the careers and styles of the four musicians different?

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This section contains 964 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample