Story Questions

Knowledge

1. Who spoke to Bigger in the beginning of the story about not being a man?

In the beginning of the story Bigger's mother spoke to him about not being a man. She was addressing Bigger on getting a job to help support his family.


Comprehension

2. What differences exist between the characters Bigger and Gus?

The differences between the characters Bigger and Gus is that one is a fraud and one is real. Bigger comes off to be very strong and fearless. He shows off as if he is this big tuff black guy, but really he is a coward. Gus, is not afraid to show fear, unlike Bigger. For example, when their gang was talking about robbing a white man, Bigger was acting like he was up to it when really he wasn't. Gus, admitted he wasn't sure about it, and was a little worried.


Application

3. What questions would you ask of "Mary and Jan" if you where in the car with them an bigger going to Ernies Kitchen?

If I was in the car with Bigger, Jan, and Marry I would ask Jan and Marry two questions.

- Do you usually eat in black owned restaurants?
- Why don't you want to go to your University? Do you not like it
there?

Analysis

4. What do you see as other possible outcome of how Bigger could of dealt with Marry and her mother when he dropped her off in her room?

Another possible outcome of how Bigger could deal with Marry and her mother when he dropped her off in her room, would be to just relieving that he was their, and not be afraid. He could explain to Mary's mother that Marry had a bad day at school and was really tried so he rested her in bed. Since the mother is blind, he has a good chance of proving this.


Synthesis

5. How many ways can you come with plans for Bigger to cover up killing
Mary?

I could come up with two plans Bigger could use to cover up killing
Marry. They may or may not work, though.
My first plan would be to tell Mrs. Dalton after he put Mary's
body in the his car, that Mary asked him to take her to Baltimore that night. He could tell her that she has an assignment from school were she has to do research there. Once he would get there he would dump her body some where and start a new life in Baltimore.
My second plan would be to leave Mary's dead body in her bed and carefully sneak out of the room, pass Mrs. Dalton, and then re-enter later. Pleading that when we went to pick up Mary from school she wasn't there and later on found her on a corner of a street passed out. He could then tell her that shes not breathing, and he didn't know what to do so he came here for help.
Theses two plans are far fetched, but they might help Bigger cover up killing Mary.


Evaluation

6.How would you feel if you were Bigger's family?

I was Bigger's family I know I would be a family was disspointment in their Bigger. Well Ill tell you why.
Bigger is the oldest man in his family. There for he must take responiblites. He must help his mom provide for his family. Does Bigger do that? No. Bigger's mother had to yell and threaten Bigger inoder to finally get a job. Which would make me as a mother feel like he doesnt even care about his families needs enough to be willing to get a job.
Bigger doesnt show respect to his family either. He treats his mother like she is an ant and completly ignores her. He disrepect his sister by, by not being sensative to her fears of rats, and not caring to hear her opinion on things.
Bigger doesnt respect his brother that much, but still.
This is how I would feel if I was Bigger's family disrepected.