The Fire Next Time Quizzes

The Fire Next Time Quiz 1

1 Why does Baldwin address his first letter only to his nephew?
He hates white people

It was originally only a personal letter

He is afraid to challenge white people

White people aren't ready to listen
2 Why does Baldwin have such difficulty writing this letter?
He is afraid of public disapproval

He fears his nephew

It is a painful subject

His brother and father's face haunt him
3 What parallelism does Baldwin establish in this first letter?
Similar fates among black and white people

Similar characteristics between his nephew, father, and brother

Similar destinies between him and his nephew

Similar fates among black people and Native Americans
4 What is a major generational difference between his nephew and his father's time?
End of slavery

Move into the country

Move into cities

Less religious
5 What distresses Baldwin about his brother's tears today?
They are angry

They are desperate

They are more frequent

They are invisible and untreatable
6 What is white people's greatest crime?
Their innocence

Slavery

Genocide

Their racism
7 Why did Baldwin's father live a miserable life?
He was religious

He was poor

He believed what white people said about him

He was a slave
8 What does Baldwin caution James against believing?
That he should be a writer

That he is inferior

That he is limited

In God
9 What kind of attitude does Baldwin warn James against?
Toughness

Holyness

Happiness

Weakness
10 What did James' parents choose to do when he was born?
Protect him

Give him up for adoption

Fear for him

Love him
11 What does Baldwin believe can strengthen James in this harsh world?
Violence

Love

School

Religion
12 How does Baldwin believe white people think of James?
As subhuman

Not at all

As frightening

As a slave
13 Why must James persevere?
God

Creativity

Love

Education
14 Why does James face the kind of future he faces?
He is uneducated

He is black

He is poor

He is an artist
15 What terms does Baldwin caution James against?
Liberty and Fraternity

Heaven and Hell

Truth and Freedom

Integration and Acceptance
16 How does Baldwin believe James must approach white people?
With love

With fear

With hatred

With caution
17 How does Baldwin refer to white people, in relation to James?
His brothers

His enemy

His neighbors

His oppressors
18 What makes white people fundamentally pitiable?
No lyricism

No physical strength

No grasp on reality

No emotional depth
19 Why is Baldwin confident that James can be strong?
Strong body

Strong ancestors

Strong friends

Strong education
20 Who are some of James' prominent ancestors?
Poets

Novelists

Artists

Singers
21 Why is America not free?
Black people are not free

Slavery continues

Poverty continues

White people are not free
22 What should black people do about their land, according to Baldwin?
Split apart from America

Remain in America

Start a new country

Go back to Africa
23 What is the only way to change the fate of the country, according to Baldwin?
Have white people accept their reality

Have black people form their own country

Have white people give up their power

Have black people fight back
24 Why must James remain in America?
It is his home

He is not allowed to travel

It is the best nation

He has no other option
25 How must James approach white people, instead of the traditional philosophy of integration?
Stay far away from them

Become exactly like them

Fight back against them

Decide if he accepts them

Who is the the chief of the American Nazi party that made a point of contributing about twenty dollars?

I think that was George Lincoln Rockwell.

Asked by Adrian San P #1203750

Answered by Aslan on 1/5/2022 5:01 AM

This book was written in the 1960s, however, many of the issues Baldwin describes persist today. Choose two of these issues and discuss in detail how those challenges are still prevalent in American society.

Racism and intergrations continue to be challenges in American society. For a closer look at these themes, check out GradeSaver's theme section in the study guide. The study guide will provide you with details you can you to contrast the 1960s to...

Asked by Jeffrey T #808678

Answered by jill d #170087 on 9/2/2018 8:47 PM

View All Answers

Where do whites mainly look

Can you elaborate on your question?

Asked by Veronica C #706575

Answered by Aslan on 10/24/2017 8:16 PM

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The Fire Next Time

by James Baldwin

The Fire Next Time Quiz 1

The Fire Next Time Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Fire Next Time

Essays for The Fire Next Time

Lesson Plan for The Fire Next Time