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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. How does Bigger plan to explain his fingerprints in Mary's bedroom?

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

3. How does Bigger feel about Mary Dalton?

4. How does Bigger get Mary to her room without disturbing anyone?

5. How many bedrooms does the Thomas family share?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

2. Why does Bigger seem to take an instant dislike to Mary Dalton?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does Bigger feel about his family?

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

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 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)

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