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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 Greek myth does Ellison refer to in "Brave Words?"
(a) The birth of Athena.
(b) Zeus and Poseidon.
(c) The Odyssey and Proteus.
(d) Theseus and Antigone.

2. Why does Ellison choose to analyze Mark Twain?
(a) Twain was a slave owner and trader.
(b) Twain was a humorist.
(c) Twain was married to a Negro woman.
(d) Twain offers a unique historical perspective.

3. What is the occasion of Ellison's speech "Brave Words on a Startling Occasion?"
(a) Address to the Harvard University graduating class of 1950.
(b) Eldest son's wedding.
(c) Induction into the American Negro Writer's Hall of Fame.
(d) Acceptance of the American National Book Award in 1953.

4. Where does Ellison grow up?
(a) New Orleans.
(b) Dallas.
(c) Oklahoma City.
(d) New York City.

5. Falkner writes exclusively of the southern experience yet Ellison believes him to be addressing what?
(a) Nature of man.
(b) Inevitable rise and fall of every civilization.
(c) Northern Negro experience.
(d) Effect of war upon culture.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ellison say the "Negro problem" actually is?

2. Why does Ellison choose to analyze William Falkner?

3. What is the Negro child taught to see the white man as?

4. Which critics of "Black Boy" does Ellison want to respond to?

5. Violence is inflicted upon Wright by family, friends, and society as a whole. What is his response?

(see the answer key)

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