Richard Wright

What is one lie that Richard Wright tells the librarian?

• He tells the librarian he is getting the books for a white coworker's wife.

• He tells the librarian he is getting the books for himself to read.

• He tells the librarian he can't read.

• He tells the librarian he is getting the books to study and learn from.

How did reading affect Wright?

• It affected him in all parts of his life. The effects were both positive and negative. He began to think differently, to see the world around him differently.

• He became happier after reading more and more books. It made him realize he could understand white men more. He could even relate to them.

• It changed his life for the negative. He became paranoid about everything - from getting caught reading to planning out his whole life.

• Reading didn't really affect Wright. He continued living his life as he normally had.

Why is Richard Wright curious about H.L. Mencken?

• Wright believes Mencken to be a great writer based on what he sees in the newspaper.

• Wright believes that Mencken is a powerful man who is editor of a local newspaper.

• Wright believes Mencken must be an interesting man since he is white and outspoken about anti-white ideas.

• Wright believes Mencken is a fool and wants to know what he has done to be considered so foolish.

Why does Wright mean when he says he cannot read "in a clumsy way?"

• He means he cannot read certain things out in the open so he doesn't get caught.

• He means he cannot read while walking so he doesn't get distracted and fall down or trip.

• He means that he cannot read carelessly order to be able to understand what he is reading.

• He means he cannot read at all.

Why can't Wright get his own library card?

• He is black.

• He is poor.

• He can't read.

• He doesn't want to.

What is the word Wright says he did not know how to pronounce after opening Mencken's book?

• prefect

• precipice

• prefab

• preface

How did Wright say he was learning about language?

• He bought grammar books and became very involved in doing them, just as he had with reading.

• He didn't mention anything about learning to command language.

• He got a tutor and practiced his writing every day.

• He learned how to command language from reading.

What was Wright's plan to be able to read more freely?

• Do it in secret.

• Use a newspaper to cover his reading.

• Move to the north where it was more accepted.

• He didn't have a plan for that.

How does Wright claim that some have "solve[d] the problem of being black" (158)?

• By ignoring the prejudices and assimilating to what the white men want

• By reading and obtaining knowledge of their own

• By turning the hatred they feel on to other black people

• By marching and protesting against racism

What are some of the positive effects reading all of these texts had on Wright?

• allowed him to think more freely, allowed him to gain perspective on others' ideas; empowered him

• encouraged him to become a writer; got him a promotion at work; improved his vocabulary

• made him happier; made life make more sense; empowered him

• made him better at grammar; made him happier with his place in the world; encouraged him to become a writer