James Baldwin's 'Notes of a Native Son' Excerpt

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What is the significance of July 29, 1943, in the narrator's life?

It was the day the narrator's father was born.

It was the day the narrator's father got married.

It was the day the narrator's father moved to Harlem.

It was the day the narrator was born and his father died. (correct)

What event occurred in Detroit a month before the narrator's father's death?

A celebration of the narrator's birthday.

A violent race riot. (correct)

A large peaceful protest.

A funeral procession for a prominent figure.

What did the narrator observe on the morning of August 3rd?

A wilderness of smashed plate glass. (correct)

A peaceful and calm atmosphere.

A parade celebrating the narrator's birthday.

A sense of unity and harmony among the people.

What is the significance of the date of the narrator's father's funeral?

It was the narrator's 19th birthday. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator imply about the timing of the riots and his father's death?

The riots were a corrective for the pride of his eldest son. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the narrator's description of the events surrounding his father's death?

Dissonant and brutally sarcastic. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the narrator's relationship with their father?

They had a distant and prideful relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the narrator's father's life?

He was a free man, but his mother was born during slavery Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the narrator when they think about their father's life?

Contemptuous and dismissive Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator come to realize after their father's death?

The significance of getting to know their father better Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the narrator's life in America?

It is characterized by a lack of time for intergenerational conversations Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's attitude towards their own life after their father's death?

Apprehensive and contemplative Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical outcome when the father tried to help his children with their homework?

The child's mind and tongue became paralyzed Signup and view all the answers

What was a common consequence when the father brought a surprise home for his children?

Appalling scenes ensued Signup and view all the answers

How did the father's inability to connect with others affect his career as a minister?

It led to him being in less demand over time Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the father's behavior when meeting new people?

He was confident only briefly Signup and view all the answers

What was a noticeable aspect of the father's early life?

He struggled to establish connections with others Signup and view all the answers

What was the state of the father's relationships at the end of his life?

His friends had stopped visiting him for a long time Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's realization about their father's bitterness after his death?

It was a warning to the narrator about the world. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator's father suffer from?

Paranoia Signup and view all the answers

How did the younger children feel after their father's death?

Relieved that he would not be coming home anymore. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the narrator's father's behavior on the family?

It caused physical and emotional harm. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the narrator's mother's observation about their father mean nothing to the children?

Because the problems of keeping them alive were not real to them. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator come to understand during their time away from home?

The weight of white people in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What was the speaker's father suffering from?

Tuberculosis Signup and view all the answers

Why did the speaker's father refuse to eat?

Because he thought his family was trying to poison him Signup and view all the answers

What was the speaker's father doing when he was sitting at the living-room window?

Moaning and singing old songs and hallelujahs Signup and view all the answers

Why was the speaker's father committed?

Because he refused to eat and thought his family was trying to poison him Signup and view all the answers

How was the speaker's father fed when he refused to eat?

Intravenously Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the speaker's father's illness?

The disease of his mind allowed the disease of his body to destroy him Signup and view all the answers