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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 happens after Jan Erlone sees Bigger on the street and offers to help him, then invites him out for coffee to talk about the situation?

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

4. How do the police finally catch Bigger?

5. What happens when Bigger arrives at Bessie's apartment and he tries to kiss her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What was Bigger's fatal mistake in his plan to dispose of Mary's body?

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

7. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

9. 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.

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

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

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

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.

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