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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. What does John wrap around his toes before he leaves in Chapter 6?

2. What does John say to Sarny before he leaves in Chapter 6?

3. What does Waller say the punishment is "according to the law" for learning to read or write in Chapter 5?

4. What does Mammy ask John when she sees him teaching Sarny in Chapter 6?

5. What is Mammy doing when Sarny runs to her as she tries to escape Waller in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Waller discover that Sarny is learning to read and write in Chapter 5? How does he react?

2. How has the relationship between Mammy and John evolved by Chapter 6?

3. What is foreshadowed in Chapter 6? What does the reader expect to happen based on John's actions?

4. How does Sarny describe the first day of John's recovery in Chapter 6?

5. How did Pawley die, according to the story related from Sarny in Chapter 4?

6. How does Mammy respond when Sarny runs to her at the spring house in Chapter 5?

7. What causes Master Waller to send Old Delie to the spring house in Chapter 5?

8. How is John's departure described in Chapter 6? What does Sarny make of John's farewell?

9. How does Sarny describe the circumstances of the slaves in the beginning of Chapter 5?

10. How does John describe his plans for escape to Mammy and Sarny in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine and discuss the themes of cruelty and abuse in Nightjohn. In what ways do Waller’s actions in the narrative appear cruel? Do you think that Waller derives pleasure from the abuse and torture of his slaves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

How is slave life described in the novel? List at least five ways in which Waller ensures that his slaves are stripped of their freedom. Which seems most invasive to you? Why? What freedom(s) would you most miss if you lost your freedoms today?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the setting of Waller’s plantation. About how many slaves do you imagine living on the plantation? What kinds of crops does Waller produce? Where on the plantation do the slaves live? What are their living quarters like? How is Waller’s home described?

(see the answer keys)

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