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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 political system attracts Abbott?

2. What does Abbott say ex-prisoners can never get honestly?

3. Which country does Abbott say he admires?

4. What does Abbott say he is conflicted about?

5. Why does Abbott think Gilmore is asking for the death penalty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the first incident of racism Abbott experienced during his time away from prison?

2. How did Blackie try to expose the prison system?

3. What was the second incident of racism Abbott experienced during his time away from prison?

4. What does Abbott say about Stendhal's novel, THE RED AND THE BLACK?

5. What does Abbott believe is his higher calling?

6. Why does Abbott say he wishes for instability in the East?

7. What does Communist philosophy say about prejudice?

8. What does Abbott think Cuba needs?

9. Why does Abbott not like the prisoner who denounces sex, drink and drugs?

10. What does Abbott think about Gary Gilmore?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Abbott think is wrong with America? In what way could his views be described as limited? Is there any validity to his claims?

Essay Topic 2

How has prison torture affected Abbott? How have laws changed since? Why was such punishment deemed as unhelpful for the prison environment?

Essay Topic 3

Who was Gary Gilmore and why does Abbott talk about him in his letters? Why does Abbott feel able to distance himself from Gilmore's crimes and beliefs?

(see the answer keys)

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