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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. How does Joyce react to Len's announcement?

2. Why is the Duke of York headed to its destination?

3. When does Hamilton write the first letter to his wife during his journey?

4. What did the captain of the Fortune die of?

5. Who dies in November 1940?

Short Essay Questions

1. What resulted from Joyce's relationship with Herbert, and how did she deal with it?

2. What does Ellis say concerning Hamilton's father's death?

3. On what condition does the Army allow Travis to marry Joyce?

4. What is the state of the supply of slaves when Hamilton is on the coast?

5. What happened to James Hamilton's father?

6. Describe Joyce's marriage to Len.

7. What happens to Joyce's mother?

8. What belief did Hamilton's father hold concerning Christianity and slavery?

9. How does Captain Hamilton reconcile his Christian beliefs with his professional dealings in slavery?

10. What is the state of Hamilton's cargo near the end of the log in "Crossing the River"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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 2

In "Somewhere in England," there are various characters with their own different backgrounds, goals, and ideas. Joyce is first married to an Englishman and then has an interracial relationship. How does Joyce's marriage to Len contrast with her relationship with Travis? How are these relationships different in the eyes of society? Which do they scrutinize more and why? Make sure you answer each question thoroughly, using examples to support your answer.

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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