1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She sets the plantation on fire. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She stabs Paul. She runs away with Amos. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? She bought the slaves. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. 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 killed her daughter. He raped her and tried to kill her. He shot her in the leg. He told Ruth a lie about her. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She thinks they are too noisy. She once raised an annoying child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She had too many siblings as a child. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was born there. He was found in the woods. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He arrived there as a baby. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He wants to get married immediately. He was adopted. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? 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. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He insulted her. He accidentally tripped her one time. He has made advances on her. 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 were never friends. They met as children. They came to Empty together. 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 smell strange. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is fascinated by their skin color. She enjoys having strangers. 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 is concerned about the welfare of 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. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She does not remember. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She was born there. She was sold here as a baby. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are commemorating the dead. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are getting married. They are celebrating their birthdays. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Paul Samuel Isaiah Amos 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Sarah Isaiah Samuel Amos 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? The coach-driver A cotton-picker A farmhand An overseer 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Zeke Amos James Samuel 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Ruth Essie Amos James 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 is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He wants to impress Paul. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? He knew it all along. He advises Paul to kill them. He thinks it is best to leave them be, as it does not affect their work in the barn. He thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. 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? Puah Maggie Essie Be Auntie