Correct Answer: B. didactic

Explanation

The causes of violence in the novel. Violence has been a major feature of the American society since the advent of the Blackman in America. Richard Wright's Black Boy gives a detailed and largely faithful expression to the phenomenon of violence in that society. Violence, as portrayed in Black Boy, emanated from three principal sources. These are racial discrimination, quest for dominance and domestic tension. Racial discrimination in the novel is manifested whenever instances of brutality, segregation and injustice are meted out against blacks on account of their colour. There is enough evidence in Black Boy that Whites brutalise Blacks under the idea that the latter are sub-human and so do not deserve any humane treatment. Instances of brutality leading to violence are as follows:

(a) Avenues for employment are closed to blacks. They are therefore confined to menial jobs and reduced to poverty. They therefore resort to petty thievery and violence against each other. Indeed a white boss becomes surprised when a black employee is not for longtime discovered to have stolen something. This is a major cause of white violence against blacks.

(b) The White man in the American society appears to be convinced that the Black man is sub-human and does not deserve to be treated as human. The blacks are therefore continually the victims of violence from whites. Richard Wright is hit with a bottle between his eyes because he failed to address a white man "sir". Richard does not receive any treatment from his white boss when the boss's dog bites him because "dog bite no harm nigger". These and other incidents lead to violence.

(c) The Richard-Harrison fight is another evidence of racial discrimination. The white push them to maul each other to satisfy their sadistic tendencies while the poor black boys suffer.

The quest for dominance among blacks is also another source of violence. Here, reference may be made to the street children who attack Richard, beating him and snatching his money from him. The money was given to him for shopping. The mother sends him back mainly to fight back and secure his right to Memphis streets. After fighting and defeating the boys, he declares that he has indeed acquired his right to the streets.

A third source of violence is the domestic tension always unfolding in Richard's home. There is, first of all the frequent beatings Richard's mother receives in the hands of the father. This breeds a sort of tension in Richard which always threatens to break out.

The fight between Richard and Aunt Addie over religious differences and which spilled over to the school is also the result of the domestic tension going on all the time.

The killing of the kitten meant to embarrass the father is also a kind of violence in the home. There is also the setting ablaze of the house which is also evidence of violence.

Explanation

Rev. Hammond is a black clergyman of Bigger mother's church. Hence, he represents the black clergy and religion in the novel.

He visits Bigger in his cell. As soon as Bigger recognizes him, he is on guard against him. Bigger fears the pastor will make him feel remorseful and wants to tell him to go but cannot speak.

Reverend Hammond kneels on the concrete floor to pray for the salvation of Bigger's soul. He repeatedly refers to Bigger as 'poor boy', seeing Bigger as a sinner who needs salvation. As the words of the pastor's prayer register themselves in Bigger's consciousness, they make him remember his mother's voice telling of suffering, hope and love beyond the world. This makes Bigger feel condemned and guilty.

Bigger hates the clergyman's creed and wishes he will stop praying. He cannot repeat any of the preacher's words, but they make him (Bigger) feel like leaping up to strike him. Before he leaves. Reverend Hammond gives Bigger a wooden cross. trying to make him believe that life is all suffering. This, Bigger rejects in his heart.

The visit and the prayer of the black clergyrnz.,. expose the hypocritical attitude of the black churc and its attitude of capitulating to the situation of i members. It is ironical that the church cannot eve engage the services of a lawyer for Bigger, which what he needs at this time. This, Reveren Hammond knows as he tells Jan that if anybody needs help, then Bigger does.

The clergy contrasts Jan, not only in race ar occupation, but in his belief in what man needs life. Jan forgives Bigger and engages a lawyer to defend him now. But Reverend Hammond thinks of the hereafter. Bigger's case needs prompt and immediate attention, but the clergyman offers freedom of the soul, whilst Jan offers immediate and prompt attention.

Correct Answer: B. mendacity

Correct Answer: A. hero

Explanation

Fear runs all through the novel, and dictates the behaviour of the boys. Right from the day they appear on the island, the boys are seized with various types of fear. These manifest in some of the boys and in their general comportment. The fear of being marooned forever is Piggy's immediate preoccupation. He pesters Ralph with his sentiments. Not even Ralph's assurance that his own father, a pilot, will come for them in due course will allay Piggy's fears. Throughout his existence on the island, Piggy draws attention to actions that are likely to get them rescued, such as running to swim and keeping the fire going. All the boys, except perhaps Simon, are afraid of the beast. The beast is not known and so the fear of it is not tangible.

Perhaps this is what makes the boys' situation as dangerous as it is. This type of fear leads them to tackle their uneasiness by trial and error — hunting, dancing and fighting in order to sweep the fear under the carpet. Ralph is particularly afraid that the unity of the group may disintegrate and the group may become debased. What begins as .a mere reminder to the boys to use the toilet and drinking and washing places as designated, turns real when the boys break into two antagonistic groups. Despite Jack's outward show of toughness and capacity to lead, he struggles to hide his own fear of the beast. He tries hard to look natural, but intimidates others to feel on top of events. He easily keeps a boy tied up awaiting his pleasure; he dictates who may have meat, and offer Ralph and the others meat because he decides to. Jack's fear intensifies with the murder of Simon and hardens into a strong desire to eliminate Ralph. In this development, Ralph looks like a prophet. His premonitions and real dislike of Jack's behaviour are significant.

Though fear seems to be collectively felt by the boys, Simon appears to be the only one not affected like the others. Naturally, without fear, he demystifies the fear in the novel. Insightfully, he comments that the beast might just be themselves. This observation, which might have saved these boys, is ignored. Simon's ultimate discovery is never revealed as he is killed by the others, who remain afraid of the beast, which he has discovered to be a harmless, undignified, dead man. It may be said that several actions of the children are driven by fear of one kind or the other.

Correct Answer: C. paradox

Correct Answer: D. echoes

Correct Answer: B. abab

Correct Answer: B. family ties