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