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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 tools does Waller order one of the field hands to fetch from the blacksmith lean-to in Chapter 5?

2. What is the stump used for that Waller orders one of the field hands to fetch in Chapter 5?

3. What reason does John give for returning to slavery after he'd achieved freedom in Chapter 4?

4. What question does Sarny always ask about the letters of the alphabet when John introduces them to her?

5. What does Sarny make of John's departing statement in the end of Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does John teach Sarny in Chapter 6? How does Mammy respond when she observes this exchange?

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

3. How does the relationship between Mammy and John change after John explains his past in Chapter 4?

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

5. What is foreshadowed by Alice's treatment and abuse from Waller in Chapter 4?

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

7. How was Pawley's disappearance discovered by Waller, according to Sarny in Chapter 4? Why was Pawley off the plantation?

8. How is Alice described in the beginning of Chapter 4? What is Sarny's relationship like with Alice?

9. Why do you think it is important for John to teach the slaves to read and write as opposed to teaching them other information?

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

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

Discuss the author’s depictions of violence and sexual assault in Nightjohn. What do you think is the importance of including these details of slave existence? Would the novel be as effective without its depictions of violence and abuse? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the language style of Nightjohn. How would you describe the dialect of Sarny’s narrative? How does John’s dialect differ from Sarny’s? How is it similar? How does the language style of the novel help the reader to connect with its themes?

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