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 stabs Paul. She sets the plantation on fire. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? She bought the slaves. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. It is planted with her favorite flowers. She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. 3 Why does Amos ask Massa Paul if he can preach to the slaves? He overheard Paul talking about how the slaves needed Christianity. 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. 4 Why does Maggie loathe James? He shot her in the leg. He killed her daughter. He told Ruth a lie about her. 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 born there. He was found in the woods. He arrived there as a baby. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? 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. He wanted a daughter instead. 9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam? He is Paul’s illegitimate child. He has made advances on her. He accidentally tripped her one time. He insulted her. 10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends? They met as children. They were never friends. When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They came to Empty together. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers smell strange. The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is fascinated by their skin color. She wants to make friends. 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 does not see the marriage ceremony. He is approving of the celebrations. 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. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was born there. She was sold here as a baby. She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She does not remember. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are commemorating the dead. They are celebrating their birthdays. They are getting married. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Samuel Isaiah Paul Amos 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Samuel Isaiah Sarah Amos 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They met by the river when they were bathing. Paul chose him out of a lineup of male slaves to impregnate Essie. They grew up together as children. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. 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 Samuel Zeke Amos 21 Who tells Massa Paul about Samuel and Isaiah’s relationship? Essie James Ruth 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 it is best to leave them be, as it does not affect their work in the barn. He knew it all along. He advises Paul to kill them. He thinks that Samuel and Isaiah should be separated immediately. 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? Be Auntie Maggie Essie Puah