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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What shift did Elizabeth work at the Wall Street offices?

2. Who was the mother of Gabriel's first child?

3. Why does Elizabeth say she started sleeping with Richard in New York?

4. What was John when Gabriel married Elizabeth?

5. Who hopes that one day God will grind white people into humility?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of homosexuality. How does Baldwin express the theme homosexuality in the book? How does John's feeling towards men affect him? Does John use religion to hide behind his feeling towards men?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 237 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample