65 pages 2 hours read

John Dudley Ball

In the Heat of the Night

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1965

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Essay Topics

1.

How does Sam Wood change in the novel? Describe the transformations in his relationships with Virgil, Bill, and Duena.

2.

What techniques does Ball use to set up plausible suspects to misdirect the reader?

3.

What characteristics and behaviors does Virgil Tibbs exhibit that surprise the Southern city of Wells? How does the town respond, and what commentary is Ball making about racism through their responses?