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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. How long did the quartet's trip to Atlanta last?

2. Where is Harlem located?

3. What point of view does Baldwin use in this essay?

4. What does Baldwin regard as the most important thing about the film Carmen Jones?

5. Who is the author of Native Son?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of the book Notes of a Native Son?

2. What roles does religion play in the life of the Negro?

3. What is the significance of having the evil and immoral characters played by very dark complected Negroes in the film Carmen Jones?

4. In the essay entitled Everybody's Protest Novel, why does Baldwin use the first person narrative perspective?

5. Who was Clarence Warde and what role did he play in the Journey to Atlanta?

6. Why has Baldwin written extensively about the Negro press?

7. Why did many of the Americans that chose to study in Paris after the war, return to the United States?

8. Why does Baldwin use the theme of racial prejudice to set the topic and tone for Notes of a Native Son?

9. Why did ex-GIs question their identity while studying in Paris?

10. According to Baldwin, what is the legend of Paris? What is the legend's connection to reality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the essay Journey to Atlanta, Baldwin retells the story of the Melodeers' trip to Atlanta. What types of style and tone techniques does Baldwin use in this essay and for what purpose does he use these forms? Please use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Baldwin writes about the struggle for African Americans to find their own identity in the United States. Based on Baldwin's essays, do you think African Americans will be able to find their identity as American citizens or will they always have to "escape" in order to try to find their identity? Please use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The purpose of Baldwin's essays is to analyze, understand and deal with racial prejudice. Choose one or two of Baldwin's essays and discuss how the essay incorporates this purpose of analysis, understanding, and dealing with racial prejudice. Please use examples from the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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