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. After Bigger threatens Gus, who prevents him from attacking the other man?

2. When Bigger when arrives at the Dalton home for his interview, what question plagues him as he stands outside the house?

3. Who does Bigger see when he, Mary and Jan enter the restaurant?

4. What doe Bigger and Jack think being "Red" is?

5. What happens when Bigger tries to dispose of Mary's body?

Short Essay Questions

1. After all the gory details of the way he disposed of Mary's body, how was Bigger reacting?

2. What did he find outside near the car on the night of Mary's death, and what did he do with it?

3. Explain the game, "White," that Bigger and his friends played.

4. What happened when Mary's body didn't fit into the furnace?

5. How does Bigger feel about his family?

6. Why did Bigger decide to put Mary's body in the trunk?

7. Describe Bigger's home.

8. How does Bigger really feel about holding up Blum's Delicatessen?

9. Why does Bigger get so angry and violent with Gus when he says he'll go along with the robbery?

10. What does it mean about Bigger "Feeling his blackness," even more after Mary Dalton and Jan Erlone's attempts at being friendly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the very end of the story Max is upset when Bigger comes to the conclusion that it must have been good that he killed. In an essay explain Bigger's reasoning and how he came to that conclusion. Also explain what Max is trying to make Bigger understand after he comes to this conclusion. Why might the two men have different views on this subject?

Essay Topic 2

Use of Actual Historical Events:

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, used actual historical events in the novel to bring more life to the story and to aid in his plot. In particular he mentioned the Scottsboro Boys and the Leob and Leopold Case. Write an essay about these cases and how they fit into the novel. Add any additional points used that were from real historical events.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the way the author, Richard Wright wrote this story, demonstrates both sides of the "nature versus nurture" theory. This is particularly strong when Max testifies to the court about Bigger's life. In the essay describe various parts of the story and how they reinforce both aspects of the theory.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 792 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample