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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. How is building Bigger chose as the lookout point for the money drop described in the story.

2. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?

3. After Bigger leaves Bessie and returns to the Dalton's house what does Peggy tell him to do and why?

4. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?

5. What happens when Bigger climbs another ledge on the rooftop and beings crawling away?

Short Essay Questions

1. The morning after Mary's killing, as Bigger rode the street car on his way back to the Dalton house, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the plight of black people. Explain what Bigger thought would be a solution to their fear and shame.

2. What deterred the Daltons from being excessively concerned when they found Mary wasn't in the house the morning after she was murdered?

3. What was Bessie's reaction when Bigger arrived at her apartment the morning after the murder of Mary?

4. What was Bigger's fatal mistake in his plan to dispose of Mary's body?

5. Why did Bigger decide to try to blame Jan and the Communist Party for the kidnapping?

6. In Book two, what does Bigger do at the drug store?

7. What things made the Daltons begin to worry about their daughter being gone?

8. As Bigger arrived at the Dalton home on the morning after Mary's murder how was he feeling?

9. In what ways was Bigger's capture similar to the opening of the book when Bigger chased, eventually killing the rat?

10. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fear, Flight and Fate Themes:

Write an essay about the way each of these themes were demonstrated in the story. Did any of them intertwine? If so, when/how?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Use of Actual Historical Events:

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, used actual historical events in the novel to bring more life to the story and to aid in his plot. In particular he mentioned the Scottsboro Boys and the Leob and Leopold Case. Write an essay about these cases and how they fit into the novel. Add any additional points used that were from real historical events.

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