View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the narrator decide against using Emma in his plans?

2. What does the narrator spontaneously decide to buy?

3. What does the narrator purchase in Chapter 13 that reminds him of home?

4. How does the audience react to the narrator's speech?

5. What is the narrator accused of when he tries to dispose of the figurine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What strikes the narrator as the profound truth about the riot?

2. To what does Brother Tarp attribute the warning letter?

3. Why does the lady on the street become angry when he tries to put the figurine in the trash can?

4. What epiphany has the narrator experienced regarding his race?

5. Explain why the "woman question" is typical of the Brotherhood's approach to issues.

6. Why does Brother Jack defend the narrator at this point?

7. What is the significance of the black thread that controls the dancing doll?

8. How does Emma's conversation create a sense of foreboding?

9. What is meant by "white fever"?

10. Brother Jack refers to Clifton as Brutus? How does the metaphor fit the situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early in the novel, the narrator endures a non-surgical pre-frontal lobotomy that is supposed to erase his memories, make him a more pliable worker, and prevent him from bringing charges against the factory. He does change after the experience, but not exactly in the way usually expected of a lobotomy. Discuss the changes that begin taking place. What changes are permanent? What changes seem to occur gradually? Do they make the narrator a better man?

Essay Topic 2

Music or singing occur several times in the novel and the narrator himself refers to Armstrong. Explain how music contributes to the overall plot of the novel. Consider not only the narrator's private thoughts about music, but also the music in the chapel in Chapter 2, the music at the Brotherhood party, the man singing at Clifton's funeral, and others.

Essay Topic 3

The Brotherhood is concerned about its own purposes and really has no interest in the issues of eviction of black people from their homes or in other racial issues in Harlem. Write an essay about the Brotherhood in which you locate and explain hints that they are using the narrator merely as a tool for their own purpose. What is their purpose? Why does the narrator fail to recognize it until too late to prevent a riot?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample