Native Son Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. The author of this novel, Richard Wright, uses the words "black" and "white" heavily throughout this novel. Write an essay on the symbolism of these words, using several examples of each from the novel. Discuss whether or not the words influenced you as you read it.

2. The author of this novel, Richard Wright, used actual historical events in the novel to bring verisimilitude to the story and to aid in his plot. In particular, he mentions the Scottsboro Boys and the Leopold and Loeb case. Write an essay about these cases and how they fit...
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