Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred Taylor
Individual Questions Group Questions
Chapter
1
1.
Why are the calendars of the white and black schools different?
2.
What does the "burning" incident reveal about racial attitudes
in Sokane County, Mississippi?
3.
Why is Jeremy often ridiculed by other children?
Why do you think he continues to walk with Cassie's family?
4.
Why is Little Man upset about the schoolbooks?
Do you think he should have refused the book?
Chapters
2 & 3
1.
What is Big Ma's reaction to Little Man's anger toward the school bus?
Why do you think she reacts this way rather than encouraging and
supporting his anger?
2.
Why is Cassie convinced that she and her brothers are responsible for the
threat of the white mob?
Chapter
4
1.
Why does Stacey accept punishment for cheating when he isn't guilty?
2.
Why does Mama take the children to visit Mr. Berry instead of scolding or
whipping them?
3.
What is Mama's plan to show black displeasure with the Wallaces and their
bigotry?
Chapters
5 & 6
1.
Compare Stacey's and Cassie's reactions to Mr. Barnett's racist insults
in the store.
Why do they have different reactions?
2.
What does Uncle Hammer decide to do when he learns how Mr. Simms treated
Cassie?
Why doesn't he follow through?
What do you think would have happened if he had?
Chapters
7 & 8
1.
Why doesn't Uncle Hammer want Stacey to get the coat back from T.J.?
2.
What is Little Man's most treasured Christmas gift?
Why do you think he values this gift above all others?
3.
Why is Cassie's revenge against Lillian Simms so appropriate?
Chapters
9 & 10
1.
Why can't Mr. Avery and Mr. Lanier continue to boycott the Wallace store?
2.
How does the sale of the Packard provide evidence of the Logans' strong
ties to family and land?
3.
Why does T.J. come tot he revival with R.W. and Melvin?
Chapters
11 & 12
1.
Why does Papa change his mind about punishing the children with his belt?
2.
What are the good and bad consequences of the fire?
Chapter
1
1.
How does Papa feel about the Logan land?
Why do you think he feels that way?
What do you think might threaten the Logans' land ownership?
2.
What does Mrs. Logan's reaction to the book incident reveal about her
character?
Chapters
2 & 3
List
all of the examples of prejudice against black people in the novel so far. Why
do you think the children were shielded from some of the information?
Why do you think the children aren't encouraged to fight against the
inequality they face?
Chapter
4
1.
Do you think T.J. is a good friend to Stacey?
Do you think Stacey should have covered up for T.J.'s cheating?
Do you think T.J. should have let Stacey take the blame?
Give
reasons for all of your answers.
2.
What does the burning incident suggest about legal justice for black
people in Sokane County in 1930?
Chapters
5 & 6
1.
Do you think Cassie's parents should have prepared her for the prejudice
she would face in places like the town of Strawberry?
Do you think Cassie would have behaved differently if she were better
prepared?
2.
Do you think that Stacey or Big Ma should have come to Cassie's defense
in Mr. Barnett's store and then outside the store with Mr. Simms?
Chapters
7 & 8
1.
Why do you think Mr. Jamison wants to back the Vicksburg boycott?
What kind of Personal satisfaction might it give him?
2.
Do you think it is better to meet an injustice with revenge or to turn
the other cheek? Do you think Cassie should have taken revenge on Lillian
Jean?
Chapters
9 & 10
The
setting of a story refers to the time and place of the action.
It can be used to heighten the atmosphere, or emotional coloring, of the
story. Compare the first and last
paragraphs in Chapter Nine describing the birth of spring and then the family's
reaction to Papa's injury. How do
the setting and the atmosphere change?
Chapters
11 & 12
1.
Does the cooperative spirit among black and white citizens at the fire
suggest that attitudes will change?