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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. The author puts forth the Nation of Islam's belief that the white man's rule will be ended in how much time in "Down at the Cross"?

2. In what war does the author describe many of his friends enlisting in the service to fight in the beginning of "Down at the Cross"?

3. In describing his dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home, the author states, "I began to see that Elijah's power came from his" what?

4. When dd Elijah Muhammad die?

5. Where does the author describe listening to the Muslim speakers in "Down at the Cross"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What "truth" does the author describe finding through this experiences with Christianity?

2. What is the subject of the hymn that opens "Down at the Cross"? How does this quote tie in with the essay's themes?

3. What parallels does the author draw between Christianity and Islam in "Down at the Cross"?

4. In the second section of "Down at the Cross," the author points out many reasons that American society is not healed in relation to race. How does he propose it might become healed?

5. How does the author perceive the expression of pain and suffering of blacks through Christianity?

6. How does the author describe his departure from Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

7. What is noteworthy about the quotes that open "Down at the Cross"?

8. What hypocrisies in Christianity and the Nation of Islam does Baldwin point out in "Down at the Cross"?

9. Who was Elijah Muhammad? What was his role within the Nation of Islam?

10. What causes the author irritation during his dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When was the Nation of Islam founded? Who founded the church? What were the Nation Of Islam's mission and objectives at this time? How has the organization changed in the past 50 years?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the parallels that the author draws between the Holocaust and the oppression of African Americans. How does the author indicate that World War II changed perceptions within the black community of white society? What did the fact of the Holocaust prove to the author?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of racial oppression in "My Dungeon Shook." How does the author illustrate examples of racial oppression? What are his opinions and perceptions of the oppression faced by black Americans? How does the author propose to overcome oppression?

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This section contains 1,060 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample