Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Multiple Choice

1. A (Act I)

2. D (Act I)

3. B (Act I)

4. C (Act I)

5. B (Act I)

6. C (Act I)

7. D (Act I)

8. C (Act II)

9. B (Act II)

10. C (Act II)

11. A (Act II)

12. D (Act II)

13. B (Act II)

14. B (Act II)

15. D (Act II)

Long Answer

1. The play suggests that during the 1920s, some Black people had a degree of social success (particularly in the entertainment industry) because Black audiences had some money to spend on musical recordings. However, racism and exploitation still ruled the day. Irvin and Sturdyvant were making the real money from Ma’s recordings, and were in control of Levee’s dream to have his own band. (Acts I and II)

2. It is significant that Levee kills Toledo because he is the one literate member of the band. While entertainment may be one way out of poverty, education is certainly another. In killing Toledo, Levee harms the movement toward civil and equal rights in two ways: He turns his anger for the white Sturdyvant toward his Black bandmate (which is self-destructive), and also devalues education as a means toward empowerment.