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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 fate lies ahead of Jebediah when it is discovered he has forged his freedom papers?

2. Who does Robbins charge with finding Caldonia's lost slaves after admitting he has lost faith in John Skiffington as sheriff?

3. Who runs away from the Townsend Plantation under pressure from Moses?

4. Who is Saskia Wilhelm?

5. What disease begins to sweep through the plantation, leaving most of the family and slaves dead?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Celeste that causes many of the slaves and Caldonia to begin questioning their faith in Moses?

2. Who does Fern meet on the road as she returns home from consoling Caldonia over her loss for the past five weeks?

3. Why does Moses force his way into Caldonia's house? What does he demand to know?

4. Why does Skiffington go to Mildred's house looking for Moses.

5. Who is pressuring Skiffington to find Caldonia's missing slaves and what temptation is adding to Skiffington's stress?

6. How does Mildred get killed?

7. What does Caldonia buy for her slaves that she earlier rejected but now sees as an asset.

8. What object will Tessie, Elias' daughter, ask her children and grandchildren to find for her on her death bed?

9. Why is Jebediah Dickinson arrested? What lie is revealed upon this arrest?

10. Why does Moses force Celeste to work in the fields even though she claims to be sick?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Discuss William Robbins' affair with a black woman. Why does Robbins have this affair? Why does Robbins hide this mistress off of his plantation? Why does he father children with her? How does Robbins care for the children? Why does the mistress twice try to run away? Where does she go? How does Robbins find her? How does Robbins feel about his mistress? Why does he beat her, leaving her disfigured?

(see the answer keys)

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