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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. In 1953 Slim receives a letter from Mama saying what?

2. Beginning in 1939, how often does Slim get a new car?

3. When Slim is arrested in Montana, what is the charge?

4. What particularly pleases Slim about his escape from State Workforce?

5. Why does Blood feel the need for a fourth prostitute?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the relationship between Chris and Slim evolve during the 1940's in Chapter 14?

2. Why is image, represented by material things, so important to a pimp?

3. How does Slim's reliance on drugs catch up with him in the end of chapter 15?

4. Why is Chris one of the few people who knows that Slim is addicted to cocaine in Chapter 13?

5. Slim finally feels like he is totally alone when he is released from Leavenworth in Chapter 16 and discovers Chris has married and had a baby. Is his reaction to this information purely selfish or is it possible that he has himself contemplated marrying Chris and is jealous of her ability to establish love and stability for herself?

6. How has Leroy been spending his years when Slim runs across him again in prison?

7. While out on bail in Chapter 16, how does Slim show his true colors as a friend to Sweet Jones and why?

8. Why does Leroy's arrest drive Chris to work for Blood?

9. Twice in Chapter 19, Slim turns to family for help. To whom does he go and for what?

10. Why does Blood begin to feel like a real pimp in Chapter 13?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Slim maintains contact with Mama, even going to sit by her deathbed for six months and ultimately forgiving her. Trace the evolution of Slim and Mama's relationship and show how the changes in their relationship are reflected in the concurrent changes in Slim's life, attitude and choices.

Essay Topic 2

Common reviews and/or criticisms of the book "Pimp: The Story of My Life" include:

It is actually categorized as a work of fiction.

It has poor character development, particularly of the female characters.

The slang is outdated and nearly unreadable.

The lurid detail is more self-serving than explicative.

The plot movement is slow.

It is an unapologetic and graphically real look at the lifestyle it attempts to portray.

The writing style is inspired and gripping.

Slim truly tells it like it is.

React to some of these statements and craft your own thoughtful and well-reasoned review of this book (attempt to use your knowledge of literary standards as opposed to visceral reaction).

Essay Topic 3

Oscar, the inmate Bobby meets in State Reformatory School, is institutionalized after spending too much time in solitary confinement. After Slim (or Bobby, as he was then) witnesses Oscar's decline into madness and suicide, he internalizes this lesson and remembers it during his own stretch in solitary later on. It is integral to his desire to comply with the warden's demands to know the details of his escape. Solitary confinement is still utilized in certain circumstances in the American prison system (and many other prison systems around the world). The UN categorizes some uses of solitary confinement as torture or inhumane treatment. Why are humans so heavily impacted psychologically by solitary confinement? How can the experience of solitary confinement change depending upon the personality of the person incarcerated? In Slim's case, months in solitary confinement ultimately give the warden what he wants. Is solitary confinement an acceptable method for getting truth (or other desired behaviors) from someone? Is solitary confinement a necessary evil of the prison system or an inhumane exercise in cruelty against people who have no way of defending themselves?

(see the answer keys)

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