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 named Elizabeth in her honor. She bought the slaves. It is planted with her favorite flowers. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. 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 told Ruth a lie about her. He raped her and tried to kill her. He shot her in the leg. He killed her daughter. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She had too many siblings as a child. She thinks they are too noisy. She once raised an annoying child. 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 studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. 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 accidentally tripped her one time. He insulted her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He has made advances on her. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They came to Empty together. They met as children. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers smell strange. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She enjoys having strangers. She wants to make friends. She is fascinated by their skin color. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between Kosii and Elewa? He thinks it is a warrior ritual at first, then is dismayed to find out it was a marriage between two men. He is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. He is approving of the celebrations. He does not see the marriage ceremony. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was born there. She was sold here as a baby. She does not remember. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are celebrating their birthdays. They are getting married. They are commemorating the dead. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Isaiah Paul Amos Samuel 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Amos Sarah Isaiah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? 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. They met by the river when they were bathing. 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? Amos Zeke James Samuel 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? James Essie Amos Ruth 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. 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 advises Paul to kill them. He thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He knew it all along. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? He does not want to get the houes dirty. He is afraid of running into Timothy. He does not like the smell of flowers. 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? Be Auntie Essie Puah Maggie