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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 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?

2. How is building Bigger chose as the lookout point for the money drop described in the story.

3. On the streetcar on the way to Bessie's apartment what does Bigger want to shout?

4. In Book Two Bigger is feeling very confident and powerful, except when he sleeps and dreams. What does he dream about after his first meeting with Britten.

5. Bigger finally shakes down the ashes, but he doesn't remove them from the furnace, he just adds more coal. What happens then?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

2. 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.

3. 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?

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

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

6. What is the one problem Bigger feels he has to do before he will be okay?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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