The Prophets Quizzes

The Prophets Quiz 1

1 What is Essie’s act of rebellion at the end of the novel?

She runs away with Amos.

She kills Solomon, the son that Paul forced her to bear.

She sets the plantation on fire.

She stabs Paul.
2 How has Paul’s mother affected the plantation?

It is planted with her favorite flowers.

It is named Elizabeth in her honor.

She wanted it to be a strawberry farm.

She bought the slaves.
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 raped her and tried to kill her.

He shot her in the leg.

He told Ruth a lie about her.

He killed her daughter.
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 born there.

He was sold to the plantation as a teenager.

He arrived there as a baby.

He was found in the woods.
7 How is Timothy different from Paul and Ruth?

He studied in the North, and has slight abolitionist sympathies.

He wants to get married immediately.

He was adopted.

He disagrees with slavery and refuses to own slaves.
8 Why does Paul disapprove of Timothy?

He knows that Timothy is homosexual.

He wanted a daughter instead.

Paul believes that Timothy is too ‘soft’ to continue his work on the plantation.

He thinks that Timothy is not his real son.
9 Why does Ruth dislike Adam?

He accidentally tripped her one time.

He insulted her.

He has made advances on her.

He is Paul’s illegitimate child.
10 How did Essie and Isaiah become friends?

They came to Empty together.

They were never friends.

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.

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 enjoys having strangers.

She is fascinated by their skin color.

She is cautious of acting hastily and upsetting the ancestors.

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 concerned about the welfare of Kosii and Elewa.

He is approving of the celebrations.
14 How did Sarah come to the Halifax plantation?

She does not remember.

She was sold here as a baby.

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 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?

Isaiah

Paul

Samuel

Amos
17 Who does Puah have feelings for?

Isaiah

Amos

Samuel

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?

The coach-driver

An overseer

A cotton-picker

A farmhand
20 Who is Be Auntie sleeping with?

James

Amos

Zeke

Samuel
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 had a bad experience with a slave as a child.

He wants to impress Paul.

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 knew it all along.

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.
24 Why does Adam avoid the Big House?

He is afraid of running into Timothy.

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.
25 Who tries to stop Amos when he goes to tell Paul about Samuel and Isaiah?

Essie

Be Auntie

Puah

Maggie

The Prophets Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Prophets is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Ask Your Own Question

Study Guide for The Prophets

The Prophets study guide contains a biography of Robert Jones, Jr, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for The Prophets…