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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 does Bigger finally do after wandering the streets looking for food and shelter?

2. What does Bigger contemplate while standing on the rooftop?

3. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?

4. Where does Bigger place the ransom note to be certain Mr. Dalton gets it?

5. Why does Bessie finally agree to help Bigger with his kidnapping scam?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

7. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

9. 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?

10. Bigger was very much interested in reading about himself in the newspapers. Of what significance was this?

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

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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