1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She stabs Paul. She sets the plantation on fire. She runs away with Amos. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. She bought the slaves. 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 wants to conduct secret meetings away from the cotton fields. 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. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He shot her in the leg. He told Ruth a lie about her. He killed her daughter. He raped her and tried to kill her. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She had too many siblings as a child. She once raised an annoying child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She thinks they are too noisy. 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 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? Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He wanted a daughter instead. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He insulted her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He has made advances on her. He accidentally tripped her one time. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They were never friends. They came to Empty together. They met as children. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. The strangers smell strange. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She wants to make friends. She enjoys having strangers. She is fascinated by their skin color. 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 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 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 being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are getting married. They are commemorating the dead. They are celebrating their birthdays. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Samuel Isaiah Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Sarah Amos Isaiah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They grew up together as children. They met by the river when they were bathing. Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? A farmhand A cotton-picker The coach-driver An overseer 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? Samuel Amos Zeke James 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Essie Amos Ruth James 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He dislikes farm workers. He wants to impress Paul. He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. 23 What is James’s response to Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? 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. He knew it all along. 24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House? He does not want to get the houes dirty. He does not like the smell of flowers. He is afraid of running into Timothy. 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 Be Auntie Maggie Essie