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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. The story is set in what decade?

2. After they leave the movie and go to the pool hall, what does Bigger do?

3. What happens when Bigger puts Mary's body in the trunk?

4. How many members are in the Thomas family?

5. What is the title of the first part of the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bigger's home.

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

3. Why did Bigger want to kill the cat?

4. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

5. Why did Bigger help Mary to her room instead of waking her parents and letting them know her drunken condition?

6. Why does Bigger panic when Mrs. Dalton enters Mary's room while he is in there?

7. What is the symbolism of the two movies Bigger and his friends saw?

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

9. What was the story Bigger planned to tell when he returned in the morning?

10. After Bigger realized Mary was dead, why didn't he even consider just telling the truth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism of words "White" and "Black"

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, has used the words "Black" and "White" heavily throughout this novel. Write an essay on the symbolism of these words, using several examples of each from the novel. Include whether or not the words influenced you at all as you read it.

Essay Topic 2

Fear, Flight and Fate Themes:

Write an essay about the way each of these themes were demonstrated in the story. Did any of them intertwine? If so, when/how?

Essay Topic 3

There are places in the story where Bigger demonstrates a keen ability to visualize a situation ahead of time to evaluate the outcomes. Was this an advantage or disadvantage to him in the story? Give examples in the essay.

(see the answer keys)

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