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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. What did Buddy tell Bigger happened the night before?

2. Where does Bigger make his last stand?

3. When Bigger nearly falls off the ledge, how does the writer describe what he would fall into if he had fallen?

4. What does the white cat do while Bigger is being questioned by the police and reporters?

5. Before Bigger puts more coal on the fire, what is he certain he sees in the furnace?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In what ways was Bigger's capture similar to the opening of the book when Bigger chased, eventually killing the rat?

5. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

6. What did Bigger's brother, Buddy, have to say to him?

7. The morning after Mary's killing, as Bigger rode the street car on his way back to the Dalton house, he spent a lot of time reflecting on the plight of black people. Explain what Bigger thought would be a solution to their fear and shame.

8. When Bigger awoke in the morning after Mary's death, what happened when he remembered what he had done the night before?

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

10. What was Bessie's reaction when Bigger arrived at her apartment the morning after the murder of Mary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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.

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