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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. Who is Rinehart?

2. What assumption does Mary make regarding the source of the $100 given to her by the narrator?

3. When the woman says the narrator's voice is "primitive," she actually intends the statement as

4. When has the narrator made most of his mistakes?

5. Who does the narrator plan to use to destroy the Brotherhood

Short Essay Questions

1. How do we know at this point that the lobotomy has not been completely successful in changing the narrator's personality?

2. What was the narrator's real problem, and how has he settled it?

3. What is the narrator's intention in speaking up for the black couple who have been evicted?

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

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

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

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

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

9. Why is Ras' anger ironic?

10. The narrator says that he has learned that the lack of surprise is a warning. What does he mean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an analysis of the various locations in which the narrator lives, i.e, the college, Harlem, in his new apartment, and finally in the "hole." Discuss how each location is a reflection of his changing attitude/character.

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

Someone has said that heresy is simply truth carried to an extreme. Explain, therefore, how either diversity or unity could be carried to an extreme, misused, and thus become heretical.

(see the answer keys)

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