1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She runs away with Amos. She stabs Paul. 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? She bought the slaves. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. It is planted with her favorite flowers. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? 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. 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 shot her in the leg. He killed her daughter. He raped her and tried to kill her. 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 sold to the plantation as a teenager. He was found in the woods. He was born there. He arrived there as a baby. 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? He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He wanted a daughter instead. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He has made advances on her. He accidentally tripped her one time. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He insulted her. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. They came to Empty together. They met as children. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers smell strange. 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. 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 is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She wants to make friends. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between Kosii and Elewa? 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. 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 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 commemorating the dead. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are getting married. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Isaiah Samuel Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Sarah Amos Isaiah Samuel 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They met by the river when they were bathing. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They grew up together as children. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? An overseer A farmhand A cotton-picker The coach-driver 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Samuel James Zeke Amos 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Amos James Ruth Essie 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? 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. He wants to impress Paul. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? He knew it all along. 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 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 Maggie Essie Be Auntie