STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Justify the heading of the first part of the novel "Southern Night."

2. Relate a few incidents from Richard’s childhood that reveals his restless nature and rebellious spirit?

3. How does Richard become a drunkard at the age of six?

4. Why does Mrs. Wright decide to go to Arkansas?

5. How does their life get disrupted at Elaine in Arkansas?

6. Why happens to Mrs. Wright that they move back to Jackson?

7. Why does Richard go to Greenwood and why does he leave the place?

8. Describe the routine in Granny’s house at Jackson.

9. Why does Richard join the Religious school?

10. "Hunger was with us always." Explain this statement of Richard.

11. How does Richard make progress in school?

12. How does religion stifle Richard’s development as an individual?

13. How does Richard save enough money to go to Memphis and how does he establish his identity in the city?

14. What propels Richard to move to Chicago?

15. Why does Richard lose his job at the Post office the first time?

16. How does Richard’s life become disrupted after the Wall Street crash?

17. Describe Richard’s stint at the Medical Research Center.

18. How does Richard join the John Reed club?

19. How does Richard get enrolled as the member of the Communist party?

20. Explain the horror and the glory of being a member of the Communist party. Why does Richard resign from the party?

21. How do the Communists thwart Richard’s career?

22. Does Richard’s humiliation at the hands of the Communist leader lead to frustration or determination?

23. How far do you agree that American Hunger is more suitable as title to the book than Black Boy?

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