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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. Who is Mrs. L.C. McFarland?
(a) Author of "Bound for Glory Someday".
(b) Woman who would become Ellison's second wife.
(c) History teacher in Ellison's grade school.
(d) Literary critic for the New York Post.

2. What work of literature seizes Ellison's young mind early on?
(a) The American Constitution.
(b) The Waste Land.
(c) The Bible.
(d) Black like me.

3. As a child what is Wright unable to distinguish between?
(a) Day and night.
(b) Right and Wrong.
(c) His fair-skinned grandmother and the white women of the town.
(d) When to be quiet and when to speak.

4. Other white cultures have black face type entertainment, but what is different about American black face?
(a) American black face is performed by Negro actors only.
(b) The American history of inclusive entertainment makes it acceptable.
(c) American black face is always light and fun.
(d) The American history of slavery makes it a "ritual of exorcism."

5. What does Wright do at age four?
(a) Begins to read.
(b) Makes a speech at church.
(c) Plays the piano.
(d) Sets the house on fire.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the editor of "The Primer for White Folks?"

2. How does Ellison describe his relationship with Howe?

3. How does Ellison describe the philosopher Kierkegaard in the "Stephen Crane.." essay?

4. Where does Ellison grow up?

5. Why does Oklahoma hold some freedom and equality for Negroes at the time Ellison lived there?

(see the answer key)

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