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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 is the name of the church the Grimes family are involved in?

2. Which of the following words best describes John's feeling towards the white people on fith avenue?

3. What does Gabriel use to whip Roy?

4. What is the name of Gabriel's sister?

5. What does Roy's mother say her husband is trying to keep Roy away from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Elizabeth when she was eight years old?

2. Why does Gabriel like Deborah?

3. What does the reader learn about John and Gabriel's relationship in this chapter?

4. What did Gabriel spend most of his time doing as a young man?

5. What influence does Gabriel have on John's life?

6. What happens to Esther and Gabriel's son Royal?

7. What bible passages did Florence's mother like to repeat?

8. Why did Elizabeth not tell Richard she was pregnant?

9. Why was Florence and her family so frightened by Deborah's father's attack on the white men?

10. Why does Florence visit the church?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the representation of white people in the book. Why does Baldwin not represent white people in his novel? What affect does this have on the readers perception of white people during this time?

Essay Topic 2

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) Away from the main characters examine the way Baldwin uses the other people in the story to express his point of view.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the values of 1930s.

1) Why was religion so important to black people?

2) What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does today's society share any values with 1930s America?

(see the answer keys)

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