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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 is Bigger afraid of being caught in Mary's bedroom?

2. Who does Mary ask Bigger to pick up after they leave home his first night working for them?

3. What Bigger and his friends call the game they play?

4. What is the title of the first part of the novel?

5. As Bigger is leaving the Dalton home after Mary's death, what does he find near the Dalton's car?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why do the Dalton's make Bigger feel so uncomfortable?

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

4. How does Bigger feel about his family?

5. What did he find outside near the car on the night of Mary's death, and what did he do with it?

6. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

7. Why did Bigger want to kill the cat?

8. Why does Bigger panic when Mrs. Dalton enters Mary's room while he is in there?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are places in the story where Bigger demonstrates a keen ability to visualize a situation ahead of time to evaluate the outcomes. Was this an advantage or disadvantage to him in the story? Give examples in the essay.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the way the author, Richard Wright wrote this story, demonstrates both sides of the "nature versus nurture" theory. This is particularly strong when Max testifies to the court about Bigger's life. In the essay describe various parts of the story and how they reinforce both aspects of the theory.

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism of words "White" and "Black"

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, has used 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. Include whether or not the words influenced you at all as you read it.

(see the answer keys)

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