1. Slim finally feels like he is totally alone when he is released from Leavenworth in Chapter 16 and discovers Chris has married and had a baby. Is his reaction to this information purely selfish or is it possible that he has himself contemplated marrying Chris and is jealous of her ability to establish love and stability for herself?

2. Twice in Chapter 19, Slim turns to family for help. To whom does he go and for what?

3. How has Leroy been spending his years when Slim runs across him again in prison?

4. Slim has two near-murder experiences in Chapter 20. Who does he nearly kill, how and why doesn't he?

5. Slim's story about the State Workforce seems a little light on truth in Chapter 18. What are some elements that seem perhaps questionable?

6. Why is image, represented by material things, so important to a pimp?

7. How does his mother's death in Chapter 22 affect Slim's life?

8. How does the relationship between Chris and Slim evolve during the 1940's in Chapter 14?

9. Why does Leroy's arrest drive Chris to work for Blood?

10. What prompts Runt to work harder after her return in Chapter 12?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oscar, the inmate Bobby meets in State Reformatory School, is institutionalized after spending too much time in solitary confinement. After Slim (or Bobby, as he was then) witnesses Oscar's decline into madness and suicide, he internalizes this lesson and remembers it during his own stretch in solitary later on. It is integral to his desire to comply with the warden's demands to know the details of his escape. Solitary confinement is still utilized in certain circumstances in the American prison system (and many other prison systems around the world). The UN categorizes some uses of solitary confinement as torture or inhumane treatment. Why are humans so heavily impacted psychologically by solitary confinement? How can the experience of solitary confinement change depending upon the personality of the person incarcerated? In Slim's case, months in solitary confinement ultimately give the warden what he wants. Is solitary confinement an acceptable method for getting truth (or other desired behaviors) from someone? Is solitary confinement a necessary evil of the prison system or an inhumane exercise in cruelty against people who have no way of defending themselves?

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of the book the author has Runt and only Runt to work for him. Gradually he acquires Ophelia and Chris, both of whom are described in some detail, are given names and have extensive interaction with Slim. By the end of the book, Slim routinely has 5 to 6 girls working for him at one time, sometimes 5 or 6 in multiple locations, and has high "turn-over." How do Slim's "girl-handling" techniques evolve through his pimping career and how does this progression become clear in the book? How does his business management style evolve as he ages? How does his environment affect his business (for example: the high cop to prostitute ratio in Cleveland)?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,217 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page)

View a FREE sample

More summaries and resources for teaching or studying Pimp: The Story of My Life.

View all Lesson Plans available from BookRags.

Copyrights

BookRags