1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She stabs Paul. She sets the plantation on fire. 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 bought the slaves. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. 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 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 overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. He truly believes in the Christian God. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He shot her in the leg. He raped her and tried to kill her. He killed her daughter. He told Ruth a lie about her. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She had too many siblings as a child. She thinks they are too noisy. She once raised an annoying child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was found in the woods. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He was born there. He arrived there as a baby. 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 wants to get married immediately. He was adopted. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He wanted a daughter instead. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He has made advances on her. He accidentally tripped her one time. He insulted her. 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. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She is fascinated by their skin color. She enjoys having strangers. She wants to make friends. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between Kosii and Elewa? He is approving of the celebrations. He is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. 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 born there. She was sold here as a baby. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are getting married. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are commemorating the dead. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Samuel Isaiah Amos Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Sarah Samuel Isaiah Amos 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They met by the river when they were bathing. 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. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? A cotton-picker A farmhand An overseer The coach-driver 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Samuel Zeke 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 dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? 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 thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He knew it all along. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? Ruth dislikes him and in the past, has laid traps for him to get him punished. He is afraid of running into Timothy. He does not want to get the houes dirty. He does not like the smell of flowers. 25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah? Essie Puah Maggie Be Auntie