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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. Where does Bigger say white people live?

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

3. What terrorizes the family in the opening of the novel?

4. What is the on-going plan Bigger and his friends discuss that morning?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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