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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. How did Freeman's customers view the idea of buying slaves from the same family?

2. In general, how did Mrs. Berry and her daughter feel about Eliza?

3. What was the purpose of having Jacob Brooks accompany Eliza to get her freedom papers?

4. Aside from providing Solomon with favorable notoriety around Bayou Bœuf, his raft-building for Ford also provided him with which of the following?

5. What became a problem with the letter that Solomon had Englishman John Manning mail?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6 of the book, what did Freeman's customers do to examine his merchandise before making a purchase?

2. In Chapter 7 of the book, how could Solomon's new master, William Ford be characterized?

3. In Chapter 3 of the book, what type of role did Jacob Brooks play in the life of Eliza?

4. As Chapter 2 ends, and Chapter 3 begins, how did Solomon discover that he was being held in slavery?

5. In Chapter 6 of the book, who suffered during the sale conducted at Freeman's Pen?

6. In Chapter 2 of the book, why did Solomon decide to leave Saratoga Springs and head for New York?

7. In Chapter 5 of the story, how could Englishman John Manning be described in relation to Solomon?

8. In Chapter 7 of the book, what set William Ford apart from the way that other slave owners treated their slaves?

9. In Chapter 6 of the book, what type of slave did Freeman's customers want to buy?

10. In the opening Chapter of the book, what did Solomon Northrup acknowledge as a contributing factor in his decision to write his book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bayou Bœuf slave owner, William Ford was in the business of selling lumber; and Edwin Epps was in the business of selling cotton.

Explain: Between both men, who was richer? Ford? Or Epps? What made one richer than the other? The type of business that they were in? The way that they treated their help? Was one better at negotiating price than the other? Did religion play any part in one being richer than the other? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

From time to time, Solomon planned to escape from the clutches of slavery, and sought out ways to carry it out in a physical sense. Even with the help of others, none of the ways that Solomon encountered resulted in placing a physical escape within his reach. Within his reach however, was Solomon’s violin, that provided other avenues of escape for him as a human being. Select an instance in the book in which Solomon reached for his violin for escape from his misery, and discuss how such escape type(s) were carried out, the duration of such type escape(s), and their overall effectiveness in helping Solomon feel better.

Essay Topic 3

NOTE: This is a two-part essay question. All of the questions with the exception of the final question, require only a brief reply. The final question requires you to elaborate (explain your answer in detail).

While working for the tyrannical Tibeats, Solomon was hired out to help William Ford’s brother-in-law, Peter Tanner; and a neighboring planter, Mr. Eldret. Both times, Solomon performed his work well; and despite being temporarily owned by both men, he was not whipped or abused by either one of them.

Briefly discuss the following factors that may have kept either or both men from whipping or abusing Solomon, as follows:

Is it fair to say that the two men, Tanner and Eldret, were simply interested in having Solomon work for them, and that by nature were not abusive in any way? Why or why not?

Were the factors religious in nature? If yes, what were they? If not, why not?

Did their lack of familiarity with Solomon keep either or both men from whipping or abusing him? If yes, how can you tell?

Were the men simply not wanting to harm what they considered to be Tibeats’ property? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Did Tanner, Eldret or both men feel that by hiring Solomon from Tibeats, they were in essence simply buying a “service” from Tibeats and their business ethic kept them from whipping or abusing Solomon? If yes, how could you tell?

Were there any other factors not mentioned at play? If yes, what were they?

Which of the factors that you have discussed thus far seemed to be the most influential in keeping either Tanner, Eldret, or both of them from whipping or abusing Solomon?

Finally, elaborate (explain in detail) the reasons that supports the choice that you have made.

(see the answer keys)

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