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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 idea does Bigger get after Bessie mentions he is working near the site of the Leopold and Loeb case?

2. What things does Mrs. Dalton question Bigger about when she comes to his room?

3. Who is Britten?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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