Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Cassie frequently mentions the food that her family prepares and consumes. How do the Logan family’s meals help characterize the family? In your answer, consider who prepares the Logans’ food as well as when and where it is served.

Cassie’s first-person narration guides readers through the novel. What are some of the qualities that make Cassie a strong narrator? Name at least two qualities and keep in mind the novel’s target audience when constructing your answer.

The novel’s title appears twice in novel’s text. When Cassie meets Mr. Morrison, she compares his voice to “the roll of low thunder” (37). On the night when the Logans’ field burns, Mr. Morrison sings a song that contains the lyrics “Roll of thunder hear my cry / Over the water bye and bye” (242). Referencing the rest of the lyrics Mr. Morrison sings, explain how the novel’s title relates to at least one major theme of the novel.

The concept of the bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story originated in 20th century Germany. How does Mildred D. Taylor create a bildungsroman that specifically speaks to the coming of age of a Black girl in the US South? Which of Cassie’s formative experiences are uniquely tied to her identity? Use examples from the text to support your argument.

In 1933, Black Americans lived under Jim Crow laws and other structures built to support systemic racism. The novel makes specific references to those historical circumstances. 1933 also brought economic hardship to many Americans because of the Great Depression. How does economic hardship affect charters in the novel? Cite at least three examples from the text. 

The novel’s rural Mississippi setting bears the influence of its weighty past. Find two events, characters, or concepts from the narrative past that impact the novel’s setting and explain their effects.

White characters, such as Mr. Jamison and Jeremy Simms, stand out because they treat the Logan family with respect. How does the inclusion of Mr. Jamison and Jeremy help define other characters in the novel? Explain their usefulness as a tool for comparison.

Cassie frequently takes note of the weather during her narration. How does Mississippi weather directly impact the lives of characters in the novel? Consider its effect in areas such as education and commerce.