See this useful site, especially if you are doing a group presentation on Petry 

Things to Consider:

• Historical Context: Harlem in 1943  (Urban Race Riots )
• Images of Darkness
• Portrayal of Confusion
• Significance of the Title
• Bloodshed as Sacrifice/Ritual (An interesting article entitled "Riot as Ritual")
• Identity: Individual vs. Member of Community
• Speech, Writing, Actions, and Other Forms of Self-Expression

• Describe the relationship between Pink and William Jones at the beginning of the story.

• Explain:  "The very stealth of their movements revealed a dishonest intent that frightened him" (357).
• Why are the "bold-eyed women" so problematic for William?

• Why is William able to speak so more confidently at the barbershop than he is at the school?

• Why does the white cop shoot the black soldier?  Is the cop justified?  Explain.
• Why does William get so upset at the sight of the shooting?

• Explain:  "He got the feeling that he had lost his identity as a person with a free will of his own" (366).

• Why does Pink knock down the gate of the liquor store?
• Why is William finally able to speak during a moment of "despair and frustration" (371)?
• To whom are his final words addressed?

• Why does Annie May look at William with "open, jeering laughter in her eyes" (355)? What does this mean?

• What is a Jezebel?

• Explain:  "It was the best he could do" (357).  Consider its context.

• Why is William so frustrated after his conversation with Annie May's principal?

• What has happened to Sam?
• Why doesn't William want to tell Pink about Sam?

• Why has William stopped going to church?

• Why does William begin to feel powerful?

• Why does William tell Pink about Sam in the middle of the street?
• Why is William proud of Pink for smashing the window?

• Why does the feeling of power and strength leave William?
• What does William finally understand about Annie May's behavior?

• Why doesn't William like the blues he hears at the one store? How is this dislike significant?