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 stabs Paul. She runs away with Amos. She sets the plantation on fire. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? It is planted with her favorite flowers. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. 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? He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. He truly believes in the Christian God. Amos wants to conduct secret meetings away from the cotton fields. 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 shot her in the leg. He raped her and tried to kill her. 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 sold to the plantation as a teenager. He was born there. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He wants to get married immediately. He was adopted. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? He knows that Timothy is homosexual. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He wanted a daughter instead. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He insulted her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He accidentally tripped her one time. He has made advances on her. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They were never friends. They came to Empty together. They met as children. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. The strangers smell strange. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is fascinated by their skin color. She wants to make friends. She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She enjoys having strangers. 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 thinks it is a warrior ritual at first, then is dismayed to find out it was a marriage between two men. He does not see the marriage ceremony. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She does not remember. She was born there. 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 being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are commemorating the dead. They are celebrating their birthdays. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Samuel Isaiah Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Isaiah Amos Sarah 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? The coach-driver A farmhand A cotton-picker An overseer 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Zeke Amos James Samuel 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Essie Amos Ruth James 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He dislikes farm workers. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He wants to impress Paul. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? 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 knew it all along. He advises Paul to kill them. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? He does not like the smell of flowers. He is afraid of running into Timothy. He does not want to get the houes dirty. 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 Puah Essie Be Auntie