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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 say he feels like when a Jewish boy comes in to time how long it takes for him to clean?

2. Which two characters go to Chicago first?

3. What is the name of Richard's foreman?

4. What do the black Communists brand Wright as?

5. What does kind of company does Richard join?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Richard borrow books from the white library?

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

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

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

5. How do Richard's white co-workers in the cafe shock him?

6. Why does Richard find Chicago so startling?

7. Why does Richard want to read H.L Mencken?

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

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

10. How do the white employers at the optical factory arrange a boxing match between Richard and Harrison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's ideas?

2) Examine the way Wright uses other people in the story to express his ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Pick one of the following characters and examine his/her influence on molding Richard's character.

1) Richard's mother

2) Richard's father

3) Richard's grandmother

4) Aunt Maggie

5) Alan

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his/her goals and motives. Does he/she achieve his/her motive? Does he/she share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his/her goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interactions with each other?

(see the answer keys)

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