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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. What happens when Bigger first awakens the morning after the murder?

3. After he returns to work at the Dalton house, what happens when Peggy asks Bigger to tend to the furnace because it has been running too hot?

4. How does Mrs. Dalton look when she comes to Bigger's room to question him about Mary's disappearance?

5. What does Bigger do with the pamphlets Jan gave him the night before?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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