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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. When the young couple treats him as an equal how does if make Bigger feel?

2. Bigger and Jack stay for the second movie. What is it about?

3. What does Bigger realize after Mrs. Dalton leaves Mary's bedroom?

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

5. What does Bigger do after the body is finally disposed of?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What were Bigger's two final concerns about the burning body?

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

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

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

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

7. Why do the Dalton's make Bigger feel so uncomfortable?

8. Describe Bigger's home.

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

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

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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