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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 can it best be said that Solomon described Bass?

2. How did Mary McCoy become the owner of the Norwood Plantation?

3. Which of the following could be viewed as Epps' loss in the course of mistreating his slaves?

4. Why was Solomon in high demand at various plantations in Bayou Bœuf during the Christmas season?

5. How could Bass' efforts to help Solomon regain his freedom be described?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 15 of the story, what type of festivities did the slaves in Bayou Bœuf enjoy at Christmastime?

2. What type of situations involved long waiting times that Solomon had to endure in Chapter 20 of the book?

3. In Chapter 12 of the story, why was the day following a night of Epps drinking especially hard on the slaves?

4. In Chapter 19 of the book, how did Solomon and Bass manage to meet secretly with one another to plan how arrangements for restoring Solomon's freedom would be handled?

5. In Chapter 16 of the book, how did Solomon lead Epps to believe that he was making the slaves work hard in the cotton field?

6. In Chapter 15 of the book, how did the slaves in Bayou Bœuf change at Christmastime?

7. In Chapter 13 of the story, how did Epps show little concern if any when Solomon fell ill?

8. In Chapter 14 of the book, how did the slaves manage to add variety to the food that was available to them to eat on a daily basis?

9. In Chapter 13 of the story, what was expected of the slaves who worked the cotton fields for Epps?

10. How did Mr. Eldret show respect for Solomon in Chapter 11 of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Close to the end of Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon was upset about the role that Burch had played in casting him into the throes of slavery. In relation to Burch being acquitted of any wrongdoing in the matter, Solomon wrote:

“I took pains to seek him out, to confront him in a court of law, charging him with the crime of kidnapping; and the only motive that impelled me to this step, was a burning sense of the wrong he had inflicted upon me, and a desire to bring him to justice. He was acquitted, in the manner, and by such means as have been described. A human tribunal has permitted him to escape; but there is another and a higher tribunal, where false testimony will not prevail, and where I am willing, so far at least as these statements are concerned, to be judged at last.”

Define the terms, “human tribunal” and “higher tribunal” as Solomon used them in his writing. Explain what you understood the terms to mean, why they were likely to have special meaning for Solomon; whether and how either or both terms tied into a particular theme in the story — and how those connections if any, occurred.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, Author Solomon Northrup discussed the fact that planters treated their slaves as property. Northrup described how slave after slave was beaten by his or her planter, to the point of scarring them, thus lowering the slave’s value; or causing immobilization to the point that the slave was no longer able to work.

Should the planters’ behavior in beating their slaves therefore, been considered self-destructive in nature since in essence upon beating their slaves, the planters were reducing the value of or destroying their own property? Please state your position, plus list and discuss the reason(s) upon which you are relying to support your position.

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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