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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 prisoner Jean Broussard accused of killing?

2. Who becomes Henry's mentor despite Augustus' disapproval?

3. Who was to perform the funeral service for Henry Townsend?

4. Why are the slave patrols formed?

5. Why does the slave, Stamford, insist on only consorting with young women rather than women his own age?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Henry is freed, who teaches him the value of money and helps him make money with his bootmaking skills?

2. Before Henry is freed, who does he go with Robbins to Richmond to track down and return to Manchester County?

3. Why does Robbins continually raise his asking price for Henry Townsend's freedom?

4. Why does Calvin not shake the slaves' hands and what does he wish to do with his own slaves?

5. What is Caldonia's twin brother, Calvin's, opinion on the slaves? Why?

6. Who does Skiffington meet at his boss, Patterson's, house and where is she from?

7. Why does Stamford get into a fight with his cabin mate? What is the result of this fight?

8. Who dies in Chapter 1?

9. Who is Luke? How does he die?

10. What is the 'Rita-thing'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss morality. What is morality? Are moral issues black and white? Should people own slaves? Should only whites own slaves? Should only black own slaves? Does it make more sense, morally, for a black to own a slave? Why or why not? Should slaves supervise and punish one another? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Skiffington. Who is Skiffington? What is remarkable about Skiffington's religious beliefs? Why? For whom does Skiffington work before he becomes sheriff? Why does Skiffington become sheriff? What does Skiffington do different from the earlier sheriff? Does this make things better or worse? Why? What is Skiffington's opinion of slavery? Why does Skiffington become a slave owner? How does Skiffington feel about his slave?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following, citing references from the book:

1) Caldonia has the choice to free or continue owning her slaves. Which does she choose and why?

2) Caldonia's mother stresses that slaves are a legacy. Discuss this opinion.

3) Calvin, Caldonia's twin brother, wants to free the slaves. Discuss why and how his opinion impacts his actions throughout the novel

(see the answer keys)

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