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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. The authors writes in "Down at the Cross," "Yes, it does indeed mean something - something unspeakable - to be born, in a white country, and Anglo-Teutonic, antisexual country, black. You very soon, without knowing it, give up all hope of" what?

2. How old was the author when two police officers amused themselves with frisking him, according to the story in "Down at the Cross"?

3. In describing white liberal attitudes in "Down at the Cross," the author states that "they could deal with the Negro as a symbol or a victim but has no real sense of him as" what?

4. What does the word "assuage" from "Down at the Cross" mean?

5. What color clothing does the author describe the women wearing at Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What elements of foreshadowing can be seen in the first part of "Down at the Cross"?

2. How does the author describe the setting of Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

3. What does the author describe discussing with his driver after leaving Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

4. What does the author point out as the failings of Christianity and Islam in "Down at the Cross"?

5. What is the subject of the hymn that opens "Down at the Cross"? How does this quote tie in with the essay's themes?

6. Who was Elijah Muhammad? What was his role within the Nation of Islam?

7. What causes the author irritation during his dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home?

8. What is the source of the author's anger and resentment toward his father?

9. What hypocrisies in Christianity and the Nation of Islam does Baldwin point out in "Down at the Cross"?

10. How does the author describe his religious faith to Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of identity in The Fire Next Time. How does the author illustrate this theme in "Down at the Cross"? How is the theme explored in "My Dungeon Shook"? What factors impact the white man and the black man's sense of identity?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the author's literary allusions in The Fire Next Time. What poets and authors does Baldwin cite in the essays? What is the significance of his choices on these authors? How do the works of these authors and poets relate thematically to The Fire Next Time?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author compare Christianity with the beliefs and ideals of the Nation of Islam? In what ways are these religions similar to the author? How do they differ?

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