More Resources

James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son

James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son

Read Notes of a Native Son and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

1. What two important events happened on July 29, 1943?

Baldwin’s father died, and his sister was born.

Baldwin’s father died, and a race riot broke out in Harlem.

Baldwin’s father was buried, and his sister was born.

Baldwin’s father was buried, and a race riot broke out in Harlem.

2. What was the senior Baldwin’s occupation?

social worker

doctor

sharecropper

preacher

3. According to Baldwin, why did his father permit him to go to the theater with the teacher?

because he wanted his son to be educated and able to compete with white students

because the teacher supported racial tolerance

because the teacher was white

because Baldwin’s mother insisted

4. Who accompanied Baldwin to the hospital to see his father for the last time?

Baldwin’s aunt (his father’s older sister)

Baldwin’s mother

Baldwin’s white friend

A police officer

5. According to Baldwin, the principal damage in the Harlem riot of 1943

was done to Korean and Chinese restaurants and grocery stores.

was inflicted on white business establishments.

was inflicted on the black residential neighborhoods.

was done to municipal buildings: police stations, fire stations, and so on.