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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. After leaving Mr. D------, Mr. Wood purchases Prince for what sum?

2. What is the name of Vassa's new wife?

3. According to the Supplement to Prince's narrative, what is the name of the solicitor who agrees to take Prince's case to court?

4. Vassa receives a letter of recommendation from which individual in Chapter 9?

5. After arriving at the Grand Quay, Prince is put up to see how much she is worth. What is the final sum?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the preface of Mary Prince's narrative, why did she wish to write her story?

2. What happens when Prince meets her mother again during her time on Turk's Island?

3. Describe Vassa's response to his continued slavery after he is sold.

4. After being beaten by Captain I---- when a cow gets lose, Prince runs away to her mother. What is the result of this flight?

5. What is the fate of Hetty in Captain I-----'s household?

6. Describe Vassa's early childhood as discussed in Chapter 2.

7. What is the conflict between Vassa and Mr. Read after he is freed?

8. Describe the logic by which Vassa believes he cannot be sold at the end of Chapter 4.

9. Describe the trick men attempt to use to capture Vassa in Savannah.

10. At the end of his narrative, what is Vassa's major argument for why the slave trade should end?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of Vassa's masters, Mr. King, is kind to his slaves and refuses to beat or abuse them. Instead, he simply sells slaves with whom he is unhappy. Mr. King is a Quaker, and his refusal to torture his slaves is likely in keeping with his religious beliefs. Based on King's treatment of his slaves, does he deserve the title of a good slave owner? The slaves he sells are likely to be abused by their purchasers; does King bear any responsibility for their fate? In a well-developed essay, frame an argument as to whether King is an above-average slave owner or if, by reason of negligence or antipathy, he is just as bad as any other. Use supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Brent ends her narrative by saying that she obtained freedom, though not in the usual way by marriage. Does Brent intend to say that freedom matters more to her than marriage? In a well-developed essay, argue which is more important to her and include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the slave trade into which Gustavus Vassa is sold with the slave system he speaks of in his recollections of growing up in Africa. Highlight three major similarities or differences between the Western slave trade and the slave system common to African tribes.

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