1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She sets the plantation on fire. She runs away with Amos. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She stabs Paul. 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 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 had too many siblings as a child. She once raised an annoying child. She thinks they are too noisy. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was found in the woods. He was born there. He arrived there as a baby. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. 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 was adopted. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. 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 has made advances on her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He insulted her. He accidentally tripped her one time. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They met as children. They came to Empty together. They were never friends. 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. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. The strangers smell strange. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She wants to make friends. She is fascinated by their skin color. She enjoys having strangers. 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 approving of the celebrations. 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 does not see the marriage ceremony. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She does not remember. She was sold here as a baby. She was born there. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are getting married. They are commemorating the dead. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Samuel Paul Isaiah Amos 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Sarah Isaiah Samuel Amos 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 The coach-driver An overseer 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Samuel Zeke James Amos 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Essie James Amos Ruth 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. 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 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 knew it all along. 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 want to get the houes dirty. He is afraid of running into Timothy. He does not like the smell of flowers. 25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah? Essie Puah Be Auntie Maggie
