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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. According to the psychiatrists, why did Bobby choose to become a pimp?

2. Where/How is Bobby's Mama working when he comes home from University?

3. What is a "Cop and Blow" scheme?

4. How does Blood come to view Sweet Jones?

5. What was Pretty Preston's career before Sweet Jones double-crossed him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of Slim's secrets to success for pimping in Chicago?

2. How does it speak to Blood's salesmanship that he is able to score Runt as his own working girl after such a short period of time?

3. How does Pretty Preston reveal his true colors in Chapter 6?

4. At the end of Chapter 4, Runt and Blood leave Milwaukee and go to Chicago to begin their new lives as pimp and prostitute together. Before he leaves though, Blood goes by Mama's house to tell her where he's going. How does this reflect his ambivalence towards his mother?

5. Thinking about the content and purpose of Chapter 5 in the story, what does the title "The Jungle Fauna" mean? What or where is the Jungle? What or who is the fauna? (When thinking about the Jungle, remember the title of Chapter 2, "First Steps into the Jungle.")

6. Why do Blood and Sweet Jones never discuss their differing opinions on white society?

7. Apart from a beating, what does Sweet Jones provide for Blood during their first meeting?

8. Like many of the chapters, the title of Chapter 6, "Drilling for Oil" may have multiple meanings. What are two possible interpretations of the "Oil" that Slim is drilling for?

9. Does it seem somewhat perverse that Blood whips Runt with a wire and then gets depressed when she leaves and doesn't come back by her usual time in Chapter 11? What does this say about the nature of an abusive relationship?

10. How does the IQ test Blood receives from his parole officer change his life in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Only eight of the prostitutes in Slim's life are given names, generally those with whom he has the longest or most pivotal relationship (No Thumbs Helen would be an exception to this). Otherwise, he goes through hundreds of girls and none of them are named and few are even relevant to the story. How is this a reflection on the real motivation behind a pimp? Is pimping really about women or sex or relationships?

Essay Topic 2

Common reviews and/or criticisms of the book "Pimp: The Story of My Life" include:

It is actually categorized as a work of fiction.

It has poor character development, particularly of the female characters.

The slang is outdated and nearly unreadable.

The lurid detail is more self-serving than explicative.

The plot movement is slow.

It is an unapologetic and graphically real look at the lifestyle it attempts to portray.

The writing style is inspired and gripping.

Slim truly tells it like it is.

React to some of these statements and craft your own thoughtful and well-reasoned review of this book (attempt to use your knowledge of literary standards as opposed to visceral reaction).

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Steve and Slim's biological fathers. How are their influences on Slim's life and choices similar or different? Both will turn up again in Slim's life; how are those encounters different? How does Slim react to each encounter and how does he feel afterward?

(see the answer keys)

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