1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She sets the plantation on fire. She stabs Paul. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She runs away with Amos. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. She bought the slaves. It is planted with her favorite flowers. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? Amos wants to conduct secret meetings away from the cotton fields. He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. Amos believes that if he converts the slaves to Christianity, Massa Paul will respect his marriage to Essie. He truly believes in the Christian God. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He killed her daughter. He told Ruth a lie about her. He raped her and tried to kill her. He shot her in the leg. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She thinks they are too noisy. She had too many siblings as a child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She once raised an annoying child. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was born there. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He arrived there as a baby. He was found in the woods. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He was adopted. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He wants to get married immediately. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He wanted a daughter instead. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He accidentally tripped her one time. He insulted her. He has made advances on her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They came to Empty together. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. They met as children. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. The strangers smell strange. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is fascinated by their skin color. She enjoys having strangers. She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She wants to make friends. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between Kosii and Elewa? He thinks it is a warrior ritual at first, then is dismayed to find out it was a marriage between two men. He is approving of the celebrations. He is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. He does not see the marriage ceremony. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was born there. She does not remember. She was sold here as a baby. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are getting married. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are commemorating the dead. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Samuel Isaiah Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Amos Sarah Samuel Isaiah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They met by the river when they were bathing. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They grew up together as children. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? A cotton-picker The coach-driver An overseer A farmhand 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Amos James Samuel Zeke 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Ruth Amos James Essie 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He wants to impress Paul. He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He dislikes farm workers. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? He thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He advises Paul to kill them. He thinks it is best to leave them be, as it does not affect their work in the barn. He knew it all along. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? He does not like the smell of flowers. He is afraid of running into Timothy. Ruth dislikes him and in the past, has laid traps for him to get him punished. He does not want to get the houes dirty. 25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah? Maggie Essie Be Auntie Puah