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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 writes in "Down at the Cross," "From my own point of view, the fact of the Third Reich alone makes obsolete forever any question of" what?

2. Where does the author describe the pimps and whores hanging out in Harlem in "Down at the Cross"?

3. The author asserts in "Down at the Cross," "The real reason that nonviolence is considered to be a virtue in Negroes--I am not speaking now of its racial value, another matter altogether--is that white men do not want" what?

4. How old was the author when he describes an encounter where a policeman made a racial slur as he passed in Manhattan in "Down at the Cross"?

5. What qualities does the author claim Elijah Muhammad has invested in his followers in "Down at the Cross"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the source of the author's anger and resentment toward his father?

4. What parallels does the author draw between his father and Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

5. How would you describe the central subject and structure of the first part of "Down at the Cross"?

6. What does the author describe discussing with his driver after leaving Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

7. How does the author compare his involvement in ministry with the thugs on the Avenue in "Down at the Cross"?

8. What does the author point out as the failings of Christianity and Islam in "Down at the Cross"?

9. How does the author describe the setting of Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

10. 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?

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 language style of The Fire Next Time. How would you describe the author's fluidity and lyricism in his language in the essays? What are examples of literary devices such as similes, metaphors, etc. employed by the author? How does the language style reflect upon the author?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Elijah Muhammad and his characterization in "Down at the Cross." When did Elijah Muhammad take over the leadership of the Nation Of Islam? How does the author describe his home and his experiences at dinner with Elijah Muhammad? How does the author compare Elijah Muhammad with his father?

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