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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Gray say he published the Confessions?
(a) For punishment of the guilty.
(b) To include them in his memoirs.
(c) In order to set the record straight.
(d) For the gratification of public curiosity.

2. According to Gray's "Introduction" people in the Southampton area were __________.:
(a) "Harbored sinister suspicions" regarding future uprisings.
(b) "Greatly excited" about the uprising.
(c) "Very worried" about the insurrection.
(d) "Afraid for their lives" from the slaves.

3. What warning, if any, was given for the insurrection?
(a) Written plans were discovered, but too late.
(b) There was no warning given.
(c) A villager overheard two slaves planning, but didn't take it seriously.
(d) One of the participating slaves told his wife.

4. What is Nat going to be tried for?
(a) Disturbance of the Peace.
(b) Theft.
(c) A misdemeanor.
(d) A felony.

5. What weapon does Nat's captor carry?
(a) A sword.
(b) A bow and arrow.
(c) A shotgun.
(d) A knife.

Short Answer Questions

1. What moniker did Gray assign to Nat Turner?

2. According to Nat's confession, he had originally intended the rebellion to begin on what day?

3. In the introduction, what does Gray state Nat's mind "first became"?

4. Who gives T. R. Gray permission to talk to Nat in jail?

5. How do Putnam and MIss Maria punish Hark?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of the introduction, it states that the confession was read to Nat, and when asked if he had anything further to say, he said no. The rebellion was a complicated affair that involved planning. Why do you think Nat declined to say anything further?

2. Near the middle of Part 1, Nat says that treating blacks badly will make them "your for life", but treat him nice, and "he will want to slice your throat." What does Nat mean by that?

3. While in jail, Nat describes Kitchen and thinks of him in one way, yet speaks to him in a completely different manner. Describe the differences and what this tells readers about Nat.

4. Nat tells Gray in the Introduction, "I don't think you understand about this business and I don't know but whether it's too late to make it all plain". If Gray took down what Nat said and is reading it back to him, why would Nat think Gray didn't understand?

5. When Gray addresses the court, he blames "pure Negro cowardice" as a partial reason for the rebellion's failure, but then later in that same paragraph, Gray describes devoted slaves fighting "as bravely as any man" against Nat and his band. Why is he saying these things? Is he trying to confuse the justices?

6. Prejudice is "an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought or reason". (Dictionary.com) Do you think Gray displays prejudice toward Nat? Toward blacks in general? How? List specific examples from the Introduction.

7. In the introduction, Gray refers to the insurrection as a "conspiracy." Do you agree with that term? Why or why not?

8. In Part 1, when Nat is cleaning rabbits with Hark and Jeremiah Cobb stops to talk after getting a drink, Nat becomes nervous when he feels Cobb's question needs an answer. Nat doesn't want to give away a hint of what he's planning, but there's something else that pulls him in two directions when he considers whether to answer Cobb or not. Describe why Nat is so worried.

9. What do readers know about Gray from the Introduction? What is implied, or what can be inferred from what Gray says? From this information, what kind of person might Gray be?

10. The Introduction opens in the jail, so the reader already know Nat has been caught. Why might the author have used this technique? Why not choose some other method of telling the story?

(see the answer keys)

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