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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. After winning the battle with "the beast" what does Bigger do?

2. Who is the owner of the pool hall?

3. Where does Bigger say white people live?

4. Where does Bigger take the trunk with the body inside?

5. Tell whom the lone witness to Bigger's crime is?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why does Bigger need to get a job?

9. How does Bigger feel about his family?

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

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

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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