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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What writers does Ellison wish had been included in the "Primer for White Folks"?

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

3. Where and when is the essay "Change the Joke and Slip the Yoke" published?

4. In the essay "Change the Joke and Slip the Yoke" what does Ellison say black face allows white America to do?

5. Hemingway carries on Twain's technical discoveries in writing but loses what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the phrase "The World and the Jug" refers to?

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

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

4. What is the "hidden name" Ellison is referring in the title of his speech to the Library of Congress in 1064?

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

6. What were some of the catastrophic events which occurred in Wright's life?

7. Why does Ellison choose to write about Faulkner?

8. What does Ellison find so remarkable about Crane?

9. Why was the young Ellison drawn to reading?

10. What was Ellison's writing process for "Change the Joke and Slip the Yoke?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Brave Words for a Startling Occasion" is Ellison's acceptance speech when he received the American National Book award. Why was it, for Ellison, a startling occasion? What about his speech is brave? What is the overall theme of this speech?

Essay Topic 2

The Lafargue Psychiatric Clinic is profiled with a sense of gratitude and anger. What is Ellison angry about and why? As much as he admires the clinic, why does he feel it should not be necessary? What is at the source of mental suffering for many persons in the Harlem community?

Essay Topic 3

In "Living with Music" Ellison literally finds himself overwhelmed by the group of people who live around him. His struggle to find his own peace within a larger and very noisy society is a metaphor for the way he sees the individual constantly struggling against the group in life. How does he find peace? What method does he use to carve out his space and literally "be heard?"

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