1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She stabs Paul. She runs away with Amos. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She sets the plantation on fire. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? It is planted with her favorite flowers. She bought the slaves. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? 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. He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. Amos wants to conduct secret meetings away from the cotton fields. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He raped her and tried to kill her. He shot her in the leg. 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 once raised an annoying child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She thinks they are too noisy. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He arrived there as a baby. He was found in the woods. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He was born there. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He wanted a daughter instead. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He has made advances on her. He insulted her. He accidentally tripped her one time. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They were never friends. They came to Empty together. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. 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. 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. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She wants to make friends. She is fascinated by their skin color. 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 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 sold here as a baby. She does not remember. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She was born there. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are commemorating the dead. They are getting married. They are celebrating their birthdays. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Paul Isaiah Samuel Amos 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Sarah Samuel Amos Isaiah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They met by the river when they were bathing. They grew up together as children. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? An overseer The coach-driver A farmhand A cotton-picker 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? James Samuel Zeke Amos 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Amos Ruth Essie James 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 thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He advises Paul to kill them. 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 like the smell of flowers. 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? Puah Be Auntie Maggie Essie