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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 Bigger's mother say to him after she awakens the morning after the killing?

2. How many people are searching for Bigger?

3. What happens when one of the men discovers bone and an earring in the ashes?

4. What goes through Bigger's mind when he hears the music from the church?

5. What does Peggy decide must have happened to Mary?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What deterred the Daltons from being excessively concerned when they found Mary wasn't in the house the morning after she was murdered?

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

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

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

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

7. As Bigger arrived at the Dalton home on the morning after Mary's murder how was he feeling?

8. 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?

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

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 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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