1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She sets the plantation on fire. She stabs Paul. 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 named Elizabeth in her honor. It is planted with her favorite flowers. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? Amos believes that if he converts the slaves to Christianity, Massa Paul will respect his marriage to Essie. Amos wants to conduct secret meetings away from the cotton fields. He truly believes in the Christian God. He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He told Ruth a lie about her. He shot her in the leg. He raped her and tried to kill her. He killed her daughter. 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 found in the woods. He arrived there as a baby. He was born there. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. 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 insulted her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He has made advances on her. He accidentally tripped her one time. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. They came to Empty together. They met as children. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers smell strange. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. 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 is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. He is approving of the celebrations. He does not see the marriage ceremony. 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 does not remember. She was sold here as a baby. She was born there. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are commemorating the dead. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are getting married. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Samuel Isaiah Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Isaiah Sarah Amos 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They grew up together as children. Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They met by the river when they were bathing. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? An overseer The coach-driver A cotton-picker A farmhand 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? James Zeke Samuel Amos 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 is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? He knew it all along. He thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He thinks it is best to leave them be, as it does not affect their work in the barn. He advises Paul to kill them. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? He does not like the smell of flowers. He does not want to get the houes dirty. He is afraid of running into Timothy. 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? Maggie Be Auntie Puah Essie