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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part 1, The Seer and the Seen, Section 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What folk tradition does Ellison believe the black face figure grows out of?
(a) Europe.
(b) West Indies.
(c) America.
(d) Africa.

2. What does Ellison praise about "Primer for White Folks?"
(a) Realistic and therefore does not contain much hope.
(b) The search for images of black and white fraternity.
(c) Easy to read and young children will like it.
(d) Short and to the point.

3. Hemingway carries on Twain's technical discoveries in writing but loses what?
(a) Twain's focus on American subjects.
(b) Twain's political and social construct.
(c) Twain's humor and light approach to storytelling.
(d) Twain's understanding that technique is to be used in the service of truth.

4. What does Ellison say good fiction is made of?
(a) What is real.
(b) Tricks of the trade.
(c) Eternal truth.
(d) Fun.

5. How does Ellison describe the philosopher Kierkegaard in the "Stephen Crane.." essay?
(a) The keeper of Sophocles flame.
(b) Philosopher king who wrecked the castle.
(c) Household god for many contemporary novelists.
(d) Pinnacle of the romantic poets of the 1950s.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the origin of the essay "Change the Joke and Slip the Yoke?"

2. Who is Stephen Crane?

3. What specific folk art form does "Black Boy" reflect?

4. What does the phrase "to finger its jagged grain and to transcend it" refer to?

5. Ellison says Hemingway sought technical perfection rather than what?

(see the answer key)

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