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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. What does the principal think he will keep Richard from doing if he does not read his speech?

2. What is the name of Maggie's husband?

3. What does Granny think Richard has said?

4. What kind of food does the woman offer Richard to eat?

5. What does Ella work as?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Richard's mother punish him for burning down the house?

2. Why does the schoolteacher have to move out of Granny's house?

3. Why does Richard threaten Addie with a knife in Chapter 4?

4. Why does Richard get baptized in Chapter 6?

5. Where does Richard first find his love for books?

6. What does Richard do after he has read his speech at graduation?

7. Why does Richard fight his Uncle Tom?

8. What does Richard do with the money he steals?

9. What does Richard think about the popular contention that black people lead passionate, emotional lives?

10. How does Granny injure herself in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Wright's views on religion.

1) What does he mean by religion on a emotional level?

2) What does he mean by religion on an intellectual level?

3) Why does Wright accept God on both an emotional and intellectual level? Is it the same for everyone?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss differences between the novel and autobiographical formats. What are the main elements of a novel? What are the main elements of an autobiography? What can Wright not express in an autobiography that he can in a novel? How does Wright use these limitations to his advantage?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the connotations of the word "nigger."

1) What is its original meaning and what has it come to mean?

2) Why is it now considered so wrong to use?

3) Do you think the word has become too powerful?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample