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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. Why does Taylor not enter the white church?

2. What do the sheriff's men throw over Sue?

3. What is the name of Taylor's son?

4. When does the salesman say he will come back?

5. How does Sue try and help her two boys?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Taylor say about his past in Chapter 17?

2. What does Taylor imagine having the strength to do in Chapter 19?

3. Why does Silas get angry in Chapter 15?

4. What does Sarah think about on the hillside?

5. What conflict does Sue have in Chapter 25?

6. What idea does Sue have in Chapter 25?

7. What does Taylor say in his speech?

8. How does Sue react to the white men in her kitchen?

9. What does Sue worry about in Chapter 22?

10. What problems does Sue have with Booker in Chapter 24?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the differences between how Wright represents white characters and how he represents black characters.

1) In what way are Wright's representations of white characters unsympathetic? Are they too unsympathetic?

2) In what way does Wright suggest that any negative characteristics in a black person is down to their treatment by the whites? Is this an accurate representation?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the connotations of the word "nigger."

1) What is its original meaning and what has it come to mean?

2) Why is it now considered so wrong to use?

3) Do you think the word has become too powerful?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the book.

1) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's ideas?

2) Examine the way Wright uses other people in the story to express his ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 795 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample