1 Why does Baldwin address his first letter only to his nephew? It was originally only a personal letter He hates white people White people aren't ready to listen He is afraid to challenge white people 2 Why does Baldwin have such difficulty writing this letter? He fears his nephew He is afraid of public disapproval His brother and father's face haunt him It is a painful subject 3 What parallelism does Baldwin establish in this first letter? Similar fates among black people and Native Americans Similar fates among black and white people Similar destinies between him and his nephew Similar characteristics between his nephew, father, and brother 4 What is a major generational difference between his nephew and his father's time? Move into the country Less religious End of slavery Move into cities 5 What distresses Baldwin about his brother's tears today? They are more frequent They are desperate They are angry They are invisible and untreatable 6 What is white people's greatest crime? Their innocence Their racism Slavery Genocide 7 Why did Baldwin's father live a miserable life? He was religious He believed what white people said about him He was a slave He was poor 8 What does Baldwin caution James against believing? That he is inferior In God That he is limited That he should be a writer 9 What kind of attitude does Baldwin warn James against? Weakness Happiness Holyness Toughness 10 What did James' parents choose to do when he was born? Love him Give him up for adoption Protect him Fear for him 11 What does Baldwin believe can strengthen James in this harsh world? Religion Violence Love School 12 How does Baldwin believe white people think of James? As a slave Not at all As subhuman As frightening 13 Why must James persevere? Love Creativity Education God 14 Why does James face the kind of future he faces? He is uneducated He is an artist He is black He is poor 15 What terms does Baldwin caution James against? Truth and Freedom Integration and Acceptance Heaven and Hell Liberty and Fraternity 16 How does Baldwin believe James must approach white people? With caution With hatred With love With fear 17 How does Baldwin refer to white people, in relation to James? His oppressors His enemy His neighbors His brothers 18 What makes white people fundamentally pitiable? No physical strength No grasp on reality No emotional depth No lyricism 19 Why is Baldwin confident that James can be strong? Strong ancestors Strong education Strong friends Strong body 20 Who are some of James' prominent ancestors? Novelists Poets Artists Singers 21 Why is America not free? Black people are not free Poverty continues White people are not free Slavery continues 22 What should black people do about their land, according to Baldwin? Split apart from America Start a new country Remain in America Go back to Africa 23 What is the only way to change the fate of the country, according to Baldwin? Have white people give up their power Have black people fight back Have white people accept their reality Have black people form their own country 24 Why must James remain in America? He is not allowed to travel It is his home It is the best nation He has no other option 25 How must James approach white people, instead of the traditional philosophy of integration? Fight back against them Become exactly like them Decide if he accepts them Stay far away from them
