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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. Why does Ellison reject the "hard-boiled" novel style of writing?
(a) Primarily a white form of writing.
(b) Too boring for what he wants to say.
(c) Focused on detectives and criminals.
(d) Full of physical violence, social cynicism and understatement.

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

5. What writers does Ellison wish had been included in the "Primer for White Folks"?
(a) More Negro writers.
(b) Young unknown writers.
(c) Major, widely-read American authors.
(d) Hispanic authors.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is dangerous and different about Wright's attitude?

2. How does Ellison describe the writer Malraux?

3. Who is Stanley Edgar Hyman?

4. Why do Crane and his wife move to England?

5. What does Falkner understand about racial social code of the South?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is different about Oklahoma and the relationship of different races when compared to the South or even to Texas?

2. Did Richard Wright influence Baldwin or Ellison?

3. Why does Ellison consider Stephen Crane to be such a great artist?

4. What does Ellison critique about the authors included in the Primer?

5. Who was it that suggested to Ellison that he review a book and write a short story?

6. How does Ellison leave the rather bitter dialogue with Howe?

7. What does Ellison admire most about "The Primer for White Folks?"

8. Why was the young Ellison drawn to reading?

9. When Ellison accepts the American National Book Award for "The Invisible Man" what does he say that the award is recognizing?

10. What is Ellison's basic quarrel with Hyman?

(see the answer keys)

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