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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 one element stood out when Tibeats set about to punish Solomon?

2. What separated William Ford from other slave owners in Bayou Bœuf?

3. Why was it important to Chapin to keep a dog on the property of the great house where he and Solomon stayed?

4. In what order did the events listed take place in Solomon's life?

5. Aside from Bibles, what did William Ford provide his slaves that other slave owners seemed to overlook or not consider to provide them with at all?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Solomon prove to be a resourceful type of person for his master, William Ford in Chapter 7 of the book?

2. In Chapter 7 of the book, how was Solomon's new master, John M. Tibeats different from William Ford?

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

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

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

6. How was the slaves' departure from Washington City carried out in Chapter 4 of the book?

7. In Chapter 7 of the book, how was Solomon rewarded after his lumber-transporting efforts prove to be successful in getting William Ford's lumber to its destination a lot faster?

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

9. What was Solomon's first impression of Eliza in Chapter 3 of the book?

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

When introduced to the reader, Eliza was an elegant and confident lady. She was well-dressed in silks and jewelry, envisioning a life in freedom for herself and her children; and could not understand why she was standing in Williams’ Slave Pen in Washington City. Within a short period of time however, a very changed and different Eliza came into view.

What were the changes that took place in Eliza? Detail the changes. Were there any events that took place in the life of Eliza that triggered those changes? If yes, detail the event(s). If no, detail any other factor(s) that caused Eliza to change.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 15 of the book, according to Author Solomon Northrup, during Christmastime in Bayou Bœuf, the slaves were not the only ones who showed a change in attitude. In describing a scene at the Christmas Supper hosted by one of the planters, Northrup wrote:

“White people in great numbers assemble to witness the gastronomical enjoyments”.

Also, Northrup wrote about the fact that slaves were not expected to work during Christmastime, noting that they were even given passes to visit friends in the area; and he stated that whips were not mentioned, much less used during that time.

Discuss the factor(s) that may have contributed to the change in attitude on the part of the planters toward the slaves during Christmastime. Was their attitude change based solely on the fact that it was Christmastime? If yes, how could you tell? If no, what other factor(s) contributed to the planters’ change in attitude?

Also discuss: Did the planters change their attitude toward the slaves at Christmastime because it made them feel good? Or were they making the change in attitude during that time because they knew that it made the slaves feel good? What was likely to be the planters’ reason for holding the Christmas Supper for the slaves? Gratitude or guilt? Regardless of your answer, include reason(s) to support your view.

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