1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel? She sets the plantation on fire. She stabs Paul. She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear. She runs away with Amos. 2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation? She wanted it to be a strawberry farm. It is planted with her favorite flowers. She bought the slaves. It is named Elizabeth in her honor. 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 killed her daughter. He shot her in the leg. He told Ruth a lie about her. He raped her and tried to kill her. 5 Why does Maggie dislike children? She thinks they are too noisy. She has bad memories of being forced to breastfeed Ruth’s children. She had too many siblings as a child. She once raised an annoying child. 6 How did Samuel come to the plantation? He was sold to the plantation as a teenager. He arrived there as a baby. He was born there. He was found in the woods. 7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth? He was adopted. He wants to get married immediately. He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies. He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves. 8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy? He thinks that Timothy is not his real son. Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation. He knows that Timothy is homosexual. 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? When forced to have sex in The Fucking Place, they grew closer. They were never friends. They came to Empty together. They met as children. 11 Why is the tribe so distressed at having the strangers in their village? The strangers have hurt one of their villagers. They believe the strangers are skinless demons, or some kind of abomination of nature. They dislike having visitors before an important ceremony. The strangers smell strange. 12 Why does King Akusa allow the strangers to stay in her village? She is fascinated by their skin color. She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors. She enjoys having strangers. She wants to make friends. 13 How does Brother Gabriel react to the marriage ceremony between 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 does not see the marriage ceremony. He is approving of the celebrations. He is concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa. 14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation? She was forcibly separated from her lover, Mary, at another plantation. She was born there. She was sold here as a baby. She does not remember. 15 What kind of ceremony are Kosii and Elewa having? They are getting married. They are commemorating the dead. They are being initiated into the tribe as warriors. They are celebrating their birthdays. 16 Who is Essie's lover? Amos Isaiah Samuel Paul 17 Who does Puah have feelings for? Isaiah Amos Sarah Samuel 18 How did Essie and Amos meet? They grew up together as children. They met as adults when Essie confessed her attraction to Amos. 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? An overseer A cotton-picker The coach-driver A farmhand 20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with? James Samuel Zeke Amos 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 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. He dislikes farm workers. 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 knew it all along. He advises Paul to kill them. 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. Ruth dislikes him and in the past, has laid traps for him to get him punished. He is afraid of running into Timothy. 25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah? Maggie Essie Puah Be Auntie