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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 is Mr. Davey?

2. How many people make up the crew of the Duke of York?

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

4. What happens to Joyce's second husband?

5. What does Hamilton buy to discourage insurrection?

Short Essay Questions

1. What measures did Hamilton take to prevent a slave insurrection?

2. Describe Joyce's marriage to Len.

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

4. How is "Crossing the River" written (in what format)?

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

6. What does Hamilton think of Ellis's ideas on his father's death?

7. Describe Joyce's life in 1963.

8. What journey does James Hamilton take?

9. Why is Len sent to prison?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In contrast to the other sections of Crossing the River, "Somewhere in England" portrays Joyce, a white character, who is victimized by her circumstances and loneliness, while Travis, the main black character, is the one who comforts her and shows worldliness that she craves. Analyze the similarities and differences between Joyce and Travis. How does each influence the other? Who plays the strong, protective role, and who plays the fragile one?

Essay Topic 2

Each character in "The Pagan Coast," such as the American Colonization Society and Madison, represents a perspective or theme of the time period. For example, Edward represents the white Christian's perspective of a person who owns slaves, yet pities them, so he tries to bring them up to his level by teaching them white civility. Explore two characters' perspectives or themes that they present in the story. Make sure your answer analyzes them in detail, providing evidence through the use of examples found in the story.

Essay Topic 3

While the first two stories in Crossing the River showed struggle more from the perspective of black characters who were victims of a cruel society that endorsed slavery, "Crossing the River" is told wholly from the perspective of a white captain who promotes slavery through trade. Describe his beliefs and how he reconciles them with the immoral profession he endorses and takes part in. What is "commercial detachment," and what does Captain Hamilton think of it?

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This section contains 683 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample