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

He is afraid to challenge white people

White people aren't ready to listen

It was originally only a personal letter
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 destinies between him and his nephew

Similar fates among black and white people

Similar characteristics between his nephew, father, and brother
4 What is a major generational difference between his nephew and his father's time?
Less religious

Move into cities

End of slavery

Move into the country
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

Their racism

Slavery

Genocide
7 Why did Baldwin's father live a miserable life?
He was a slave

He was religious

He was poor

He believed what white people said about him
8 What does Baldwin caution James against believing?
That he is limited

In God

That he should be a writer

That he is inferior
9 What kind of attitude does Baldwin warn James against?
Weakness

Holyness

Toughness

Happiness
10 What did James' parents choose to do when he was born?
Give him up for adoption

Protect him

Fear for him

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

Violence

Love

Religion
12 How does Baldwin believe white people think of James?
Not at all

As frightening

As a slave

As subhuman
13 Why must James persevere?
Education

Love

God

Creativity
14 Why does James face the kind of future he faces?
He is black

He is uneducated

He is poor

He is an artist
15 What terms does Baldwin caution James against?
Integration and Acceptance

Liberty and Fraternity

Truth and Freedom

Heaven and Hell
16 How does Baldwin believe James must approach white people?
With hatred

With caution

With fear

With love
17 How does Baldwin refer to white people, in relation to James?
His enemy

His neighbors

His oppressors

His brothers
18 What makes white people fundamentally pitiable?
No grasp on reality

No emotional depth

No physical strength

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

Strong education

Strong friends

Strong ancestors
20 Who are some of James' prominent ancestors?
Novelists

Singers

Poets

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

Poverty continues

Slavery continues

White people are not free
22 What should black people do about their land, according to Baldwin?
Remain in America

Go back to Africa

Split apart from America

Start a new country
23 What is the only way to change the fate of the country, according to Baldwin?
Have black people fight back

Have black people form their own country

Have white people accept their reality

Have white people give up their power
24 Why must James remain in America?
He is not allowed to travel

It is his home

He has no other option

It is the best nation
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