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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 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Ellison describe his boyhood experience in Oklahoma?
(a) Very controlled and regimented experience.
(b) Poverty stricken existence with little enjoyment.
(c) Romantic aspirations in the spirit of frontier adventurousness.
(d) Series of mind numbing and violent episodes.

2. What are the three major section of the "Primer for White Folks?"
(a) Right, Wrong, Ambivilent.
(b) Beginning, Middle, End.
(c) Heritage, Short Stories, Today and Tomorrow.
(d) White, Negro, Mixed Race.

3. Why does Oklahoma hold some freedom and equality for Negroes at the time Ellison lived there?
(a) There are almost no Negroes in Oklahoma.
(b) It has no tradition of slavery.
(c) It is fully integrated and equality was legislated.
(d) Oklahoma is founded on Mormon principles which forbade prejudice.

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

5. Why does Ellison choose to write "Invisible Man" in a non-naturalistic way?
(a) To bring in supernatural elements.
(b) To be released from expectations.
(c) To be the first Negro writer to write science-fiction.
(d) To capture the fluidity and diversity of America.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Crane die of and where?

3. What does Ellison believe writing is?

4. What does Ellison say the greatest difficulty for the Negro writer is?

5. What does Ellison praise about "Primer for White Folks?"

(see the answer key)

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