1. Why does Naylor believe the written word to be inferior to the spoken word? 

2. Naylor says that although the word "nigger" had been used many times in her presence, she did not really "hear" it until a mean little boy said it. How do you explain this? 

3. What is Naylor's primary purpose with this piece? 

4. What is the effect of ending with the last two sentences of the essay? 

Article :"The Meanings of a Word"