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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 contemplate while standing on the rooftop?

2. How does Bigger sign the ransom note he has written to Mr. Dalton?

3. What keeps stopping Bigger from shaking down the ashes in the furnace?

4. What does Jan Erlone think when he hears Bigger's lie about him?

5. What does Bigger overhear Mrs. Dalton saying to Peggy when she learns her daughter is gone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Bigger feel about killing Bessie?

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

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

4. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Symbolism of words "White" and "Black"

The author of this novel, Richard Wright, has used the words "Black" and "White" heavily throughout this novel. Write an essay on the symbolism of these words, using several examples of each from the novel. Include whether or not the words influenced you at all as you read it.

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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