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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 Richard need to do to to get the position at the post office?

2. What role does Richard get at the Federal Relief Theater?

3. What does Richard tell his black comrade he does for a living?

4. Where do the Hoffmans operate their store?

5. What character working in the hospital basement scares Richard?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Richard's co-workers react when he tells them he is moving North?

2. What happens when Richard joins the May Day parade?

3. What problems does Wright find in New York City?

4. Why do the black Communists mock Richard?

5. In what way does Richard's situation take a turn for the worse when the Great Depression hits America?

6. How do the white man and black man use Richard to help them move the liquor?

7. Why do Richard's fellow comrades begins to shun him?

8. What does Richard decide at the end of the book?

9. Why does Shorty amuse Richard?

10. What problems does Richard face as publicity agent for the Federal Negro Theater?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the religious connotations in the book.

1) How does Wright represent black people's relationship with Christianity?

2) Why does Sue change her Christian faith for Communism?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 831 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample