Big Black Good Man

Reading Check questions are designed for in-class review on key plot points or for quick verbal or written assessments. Multiple Choice and Short Answer Quizzes create ideal summative assessments, and collectively function to convey a sense of the work’s tone and themes.

Reading Check

1. What is the setting of “Big Black Good Man”?

2. How is Jim characterized when Olaf first meets him?

3. What does Jim want Olaf to hold on to for him during his stay at the hotel?

4. How does Lena’s first reaction to the idea of Jim differ from Olaf’s?

5. According to Olaf, why does Jim put his hands around his neck?

Multiple Choice

1. How does Olaf feel about his life at the beginning of the story? 

A) He feels like he can’t complain much about his life.

B) He wants to move back to New York.

C) He wishes he didn’t leave the navy.

D) He doesn’t feel any different than he did as a young man.

2. What is Olaf’s first impression of Jim?

A) Jim reminds him of himself at that age.

B) He reminds Olaf of his son.

C) Olaf thinks he’s huge and strange.

D) He doesn’t think much of him.

3. Which of the following quotes best identifies the reason for Olaf’s immediate hatred for Jim?

A) “It was not the hotel did not admit men of color; Olaf took in all comers – blacks, yellows, whites, and browns…To Olaf, all men were men…”