Uncle Tom's Children | 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 - "The Ethics of Jim Crow," Part 1

1. Describe Wright's house.

2. What does Wright say his mother taught him in the opening section?

3. How do Wright's co-workers at the factory contrive to get rid of him?

4. Why do Wright's co-workers at the optical factory not like him?

Short Essay Question - "The Ethics of Jim Crow," Parts 2-4

5. What violence does Wright witness in the clothing store?

6. Describe the encounter Wright has with some white boys when he gets a flat tire.