1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She runs away with Amos. She sets the plantation on fire. She stabs Paul. 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. He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. Amos believes that if he converts the slaves to Christianity, Massa Paul will respect his marriage to Essie. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He shot her in the leg. He killed her daughter. He raped her and tried to kill her. He told Ruth a lie about her. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She had too many siblings as a child. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She once raised an annoying child. She thinks they are too noisy. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was found in the woods. He arrived there as a baby. He was born there. He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. 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 thinks that Timothy is not his real son. He wanted a daughter instead. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He insulted her. He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He accidentally tripped her one time. He has made advances on her. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They came to Empty together. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. They met as children. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers smell strange. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She is fascinated by their skin color. She enjoys having strangers. She wants to make friends. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between Kosii and Elewa? He is approving of the celebrations. 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 concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was sold here as a baby. She does not remember. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She was born there. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are getting married. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are commemorating the dead. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Paul Amos Isaiah Samuel 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Isaiah Amos Sarah 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. They met by the river when they were bathing. They grew up together as children. 19 What is Adam's job on the plantation? A cotton-picker The coach-driver An overseer A farmhand 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? James Zeke Amos Samuel 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Ruth Essie James Amos 22 Why is James so cruel to the slaves? He is ashamed and insecure of how similar their economic statuses are. He dislikes farm workers. He had a bad experience with a slave as a child. He wants to impress Paul. 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 knew it all along. He thinks it is best to leave them be, as it does not affect their work in the barn. 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 is afraid of running into Timothy. He does not want to get the houes dirty. 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 Maggie Puah Be Auntie