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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 many people are searching for Bigger?

2. The South Side Real Estate Company is what to Bigger?

3. When Bigger returns to the basement to shake down the ashes, what stops him?

4. What does Bigger do to Bessie after they go to the old building to hide?

5. What happens when Bigger climbs another ledge on the rooftop and beings crawling away?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Loeb and Leopold case that gave Bigger the idea to pretend Mary was kidnapped and collect a ransom?

2. When did Bigger realize how quickly news was going to spread that he had killed Mary?

3. In Book two, what does Bigger do at the drug store?

4. Although Bigger was very quick with his deceit and able to think on his feet, so to speak, in what way was he becoming his own worst enemy?

5. Why did Bigger decide to try to blame Jan and the Communist Party for the kidnapping?

6. What was the argument Bigger had with his family as he tried to pack his things the day after Mary's death?

7. What kind of power did Bigger have over Bessie that she continued to obey his direction even though she knew it was wrong?

8. What things made the Daltons begin to worry about their daughter being gone?

9. Describe Bigger's treatment when he was finally caught.

10. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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