Study Questions for Revolt of the Cockroach People
  1. According to the "campaign poster" on page 10, who is running for Sheriff?

  2. When and where does the novel begin? (p. 11) What is taking place? (pp. 11-20)

  3. Who is leading the demonstration? (pp. 11-21) Who is in charge of the police defending the church? (p. 16)

  4. Who does Brown call when he gets back to his room? (p. 20) What conclusion does his friend come to after hearing the Brown’s story? (p. 21)

  5. When did Brown arrive in L.A. and what was he looking for? (p. 22)

  6. What does his sister suggest that he look into? (p. 25)

  7. How does Brown characterize himself politically? (p. 28)

  8. What goals did Brown decide on when he arrived in L.A.? (p. 31)

  9. What event does Brown participate in as his introduction to the activities of the Chicano Militants? (pp. 32-42)

  10. In Brown’s confusion, whom does he consult for advice? (p. 43)

  11. What is Brown’s First case for the Militants? (p. 50)

  12. How does Brown politicize the case? (pp. 54-5)

  13. What does Brown see as spelling the end of the "last hope for Chicanos" in the system? (p. 64)

  14. What does Mayor Yorty advise Brown that Chicanos must do if they expect to succeed? (p. 74)

  15. What does Brown imply was the political result of the demonstration against Cardinal McIntyre? (p. 88)

  16. What does Brown call "death as a world of art?" (pp. 89-104)

  17. What is the Grand Jury’s conclusion concerning the autopsied Chicano? (p. 118)

  18. What do Brown and his two helpers do in reaction to the Grand Jury verdict? How does it make Brown feel? (pp. 119-28)

  19. Who was Roland Zanzibar? (p. 135)

  20. What political decision does Brown announce on Zanzibar’s program? (p. 135)

  21. How does Brown disrupt the court? (pp. 137-43)

  22. What kind of closing statement does Brown make in the trial of the St. Basil 21? (pp. 157-61)

  23. Who is Mrs. Fisher and what role did she play in the trial? (pp. 158-67)

  24. Where does Brown go after losing the election? (p. 183)

  25. While Brown is in Acapulco, what happens in L.A. and who gets killed? (p. 195)

  26. Why does Brown say that the Moratorium Trial is a case of "brown pawns" tearing each other apart? (p. 202)

  27. Why do the Chicano Militants not trust Corky Gonzales? (p. 207)

  28. What is Brown first tactic in his defense of the Moratorium defendants? (pp. 213-32)

  29. Although the Chicano Militants are building bombs in his house, how does Brown disclaim responsibility for the bombings? (p. 248)

  30. Why does Brown chose Corky Gonzales over Cesar Chavez? (p. 250)

  31. What is the verdict in the trial and what does Brown do to get back at the judge? (p. 253)

  32. What is the result of the bomb Brown places in the court house? (p. 256)

  33. How does Brown feel about having killed an innocent bystander? (p. 257)