10 questions on plot, characters, and themes. Free to take, so you can see exactly what to review before class.
1. Why does Ma Rainey insist that her nephew Sylvester record the spoken introduction to one of the songs, despite his stutter and the producers' resistance?
2. What does Levee believe will happen as a result of his deal with Sturdyvant to buy his original songs?
3. What event from Levee's childhood shapes his ambition and anger throughout the play?
4. How do Irvin and Sturdyvant regard Ma Rainey at the beginning of the recording session?
5. What is the primary reason Ma Rainey refuses to start the recording session until she gets her Coca-Cola?
6. What does Toledo argue about the historical position of Black Americans?
7. What happens to Levee immediately after the recording session ends?
8. What does the final act of violence in the play reveal about Levee's rage?
9. How does Cutler's approach to survival differ from Levee's?
10. What is the bitter irony of Toledo's death at the end of the play?
0 of 10 answered
How this guide is built
This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.
