Native Son | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Book 1

1. Describe Bigger's home.

2. How does Bigger feel about his family?

3. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

4. How does Bigger really feel about holding up Blum's Delicatessen?

5. Why does Bigger get so angry and violent with Gus when he says he'll go along with the robbery?

6. What is the symbolism of the two movies Bigger and his friends saw?

7. Explain the game, "White," that Bigger and his friends played.