Essay Questions

Why did white men invade Amari’s village? Did they achieve their mission?

White men invaded Amari’s village to capture people and make them slaves. Slaves were in demand in America and white men raided African villages in search for them. People captured as slaves were sold to slaveholders. Slaves would then work in the farms of their masters. White men who ambushed Amari’s village achieved their mission. Their mission was to capture several people and sell them as slaves in America.

Both Amari and Polly are slaves. However, their types of slavery differ. Discuss how Amari’s slavery differs from that of Polly.

Amara is black and Polly is white but both of them are slaves. Polly’s slavery is conditional while Amari’s slavery is unconditional. Amari is destined to serve his master to death. On the other hand, Polly is supposed to serve his master for some years and then quit. In simple terms, Polly's slavery is contractual and her terms of service are contained in the indenture. On contrary, Amari’s slavery is not contractual.

Why did Mr. Derby kill his butler, Noah? Was Mr. Derby justified in his actions? Explain.

Mr. Derby killed Noah because he slept with and impregnated his young wife, Isabelle Derby. Mrs. Derby had a secret affair leading to a birth of a black child. After delivery, she tried to hide the child. When Mr. Derby discovered that his wife delivered a black child, he killed both Noah and the child. Mr. Derby was not justified in his actions. Nobody should take another person’s life based on an extra-marital affair.