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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Who does Martha fall in love with while in Kansas?
2. Where does Martha flee to when she escapes?
3. Which slave does Edward "adopt" first?
4. Who buys Martha after her master dies?
5. How many children does Martha have?
Short Essay Questions
1. What happens to Martha at the end of "West"?
2. Describe the mystery woman.
3. What happens to most of the letters that Nash Williams writes to Edward Wiliams?
4. Do you think that the American Colonization Society sincerely believes in helping former slaves?
5. Where did Nash Williams first settle in Africa, and what did he do there?
6. Describe Leavenworth.
7. What spurs Edward Williams to go to Africa?
8. How did Madison Williams get emancipated?
9. What group of people make up most of Martha's business while she is in Kansas?
10. Describe the plantation that Edward Williams owns.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
As in all the other stories that make up Crossing the River, "West" contains characters that perceive themselves as good Christians but are misguided in their actions. Compare the misguided Christians from the story "West," with a character from any of the other stories that has the same characteristics. How do these characters differ? Do you find any of them sincere? Do you see any "commercial detachment" in any of the other stories? Give examples from the stories to support your answers.
Essay Topic 2
"Crossing the River" is told solely from the perspective of a white captain taking part in slave trading. Imagine you are Captain Hamilton's wife, living in England and pretty much unaware of the reality of slavery as it does not touch her personally except through her husband's letters. What do you think of his profession from her perspective? What would you say to Hamilton when he complains of the ugliness of slavery and endorses the idea of "commercial detachment"?
Essay Topic 3
In "Crossing the River," James Hamilton is a young English merchant who inherits his father's ship. His father seems to have broken down due to his inability to reconcile his Christian and moral beliefs with the profession he took part in for most of his life, which was slave trading. Compare the young Hamilton with his father. How does young Hamilton reconcile his beliefs with his profession? What happened to Hamilton's father? What do you think will happen to Hamilton eventually? Do you think a similar fate to his father awaits him?
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This section contains 707 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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