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. It is planted with her favorite flowers. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. She bought the slaves. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? 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. 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 told Ruth a lie about her. He raped her and tried to kill her. He killed her daughter. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She thinks they are too noisy. She once raised an annoying child. She had too many siblings as a child. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was born there. He arrived there as a baby. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He was found in the woods. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He wants to get married immediately. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He was adopted. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? He knows that Timothy is homosexual. 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. 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? When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They came to Empty together. They were never friends. They met as children. 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 have hurt one of their villagers. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers smell strange. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She enjoys having strangers. She is fascinated by their skin color. She wants to make friends. She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. 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 does not see the marriage ceremony. He is approving of the celebrations. He is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was born there. She was sold here as a baby. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She does not remember. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are celebrating their birthdays. They are commemorating the dead. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are getting married. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Paul Samuel Isaiah Amos 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Isaiah Amos Sarah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They met by the river when they were bathing. Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They grew up together as children. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? An overseer A cotton-picker A farmhand The coach-driver 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? James Amos Samuel Zeke 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Ruth James Essie Amos 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. He dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. 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 thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. He knew it all along. 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. 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 does not like the smell of flowers. He does not want to get the houes dirty. He is afraid of running into Timothy. 25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah? Puah Be Auntie Essie Maggie