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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 is the fee for clients at the Lafargue Psychiatric Clinic?

2. What is the final grade Jackson finished in school?

3. What do all American Negros share?

4. What does Ellison do to find some peace and quiet?

5. What is James Reese Europe known for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is "Minton's Playhouse" located?

2. What does Ellison say is the invisible man's discovery?

3. What does Ellison understand the term "Negro culture" to mean?

4. What is the film "Intruder in the Dust" about?

5. How does the early film "Birth of the Nation" portray Negro persons?

6. Why does Ellison disagree with Jones when he says "A slave cannot be a man"?

7. Who does the song "They picked poor robin clean" remind Ellison of?

8. What type of food is served at Minton's?

9. What does Ellison believe is the primary American theme in both life and literature?

10. What type of music does the upstairs singer practice all day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Lafargue Psychiatric Clinic is profiled with a sense of gratitude and anger. What is Ellison angry about and why? As much as he admires the clinic, why does he feel it should not be necessary? What is at the source of mental suffering for many persons in the Harlem community?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

"Brave Words for a Startling Occasion" is Ellison's acceptance speech when he received the American National Book award. Why was it, for Ellison, a startling occasion? What about his speech is brave? What is the overall theme of this speech?

(see the answer keys)

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