Roll of Thunder Chapter 2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What unexpected event occurs at the beginning of the chapter?

Papa comes home with a stranger

Who is Mr. Morrison?

He is a man who worked with Papa at the railroad but he was fired for fighting with white men.

Infer what Mama is referring to when she says to Mr. Morrison 'You're lucky no worse happened and we're glad to have you here...especially now.'

Mama may be referring to the burnings and the rising tension, also needing more help picking cotton now that they are producing more.

Assess why you think Papa wants Mr. Morrison to stay with the family while he's working at the railroad.

Papa wants someone to make sure the family is safe considering the burnings. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the events leading up to the burnings.

John Henry Berry and his brother Beacon were going to drop off Clara Davis's sister at home when they stopped for gas at a station in Strawberry. Some white men who had been drinking started messing with them. The Berry men decided to hurry up and get out of there, but later were caught by the white men, who dragged them out of their uncle's house and set them on fire. Signup and view all the answers

What was the police's reaction to Henrietta's report?

The police called her a liar and sent her home. Signup and view all the answers

Evaluate why you think Papa threatens to 'wear them out' if the children go to the Wallace store.

He thinks kids are drinking, dancing, and smoking there, causing trouble. He doesn't trust the Wallaces because they allow this kind of behavior, which can bring unwanted problems. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Chapter's unexpected start?

Papa returns home with a stranger.

Who is Mr. Morrison?

Mr. Morrison is a man who worked with Papa at the railroad but was terminated for fighting with white men.

Mama's words to Mr. Morrison

Mama likely refers to rising tensions and the need for more help picking cotton.

Papa's motive for Morrison's stay?

Papa wants Mr. Morrison to protect his family during his absence at the railroad, given the recent burnings.

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Events leading to the burnings?

John Henry Berry and his brother Beacon stopped for gas and were attacked by white men and set on fire.

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Police reaction to Henrietta's report?

Henrietta reported the incident, but the police dismissed her as a liar.

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Papa's threat about Wallace store?

Papa believes the Wallace store promotes bad habits among children, leading to trouble and unwanted problems.

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Study Notes

Chapter 2 Key Events and Characters

An unexpected event occurs when Papa returns home with a stranger, Mr. Morrison.
Mr. Morrison, previously employed with Papa at the railroad, was fired for getting into a fight with white men.

Mama's Concerns

Mama expresses relief at Mr. Morrison's arrival, implying the family needs protection amid rising tensions in their community.
Reference to the burning suggests a context of violence and racial hostility affecting the Black community.

Safety Measures

Papa's decision to have Mr. Morrison stay with the family is motivated by a desire to ensure their safety due to the recent violent incidents.

Context of Violence

The chapter recounts a violent incident where John Henry Berry and his brother Beacon are attacked by white men after stopping for gas, leading to fatal consequences.
The racist aggression escalated when the Berry brothers were wrongly accused of flirting, culminating in their brutal murder.

Police Indifference

Henrietta's report to the police about the attack is dismissed as lies, revealing systemic racism and lack of accountability in law enforcement.

Community Concerns

Papa warns the children against going to the Wallace store due to its reputation for drinking, dancing, and smoking, highlighting concerns about influencing the youth and potential trouble from such environments.