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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. Why was Bass hesitant to write additional letters to try to get help for Solomon?

2. What had Epps threatened the slaves with before the carriage came into the Epps Plantation, headed for the main house?

3. What two words could be used to accurately characterize slave owner, Edwin Epps?

4. What did Bass view as a more effective means for getting help for Solomon to be freed from slavery?

5. Following up on the characterization of Judge Turner, how did he differ from other planters in the area with regard to their treatment of slaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. In Chapter 11 of the book, what did Solomon appreciate about the time that he spent at the Ford Plantation following his trek through the Great Pacoudrie Swamp?

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

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

5. How did the some of the slaves change their appearance at Christmastime in Chapter 15 of the book?

6. Why did Solomon feels more like a real human being while working for Judge Turner in Chapter 14 of the book?

7. What happened to some of the slaves who tried to escape from a life in slavery in Chapter 17 of the book?

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

9. In Chapter 19 of the book, how did Samuel Bass cooperate with Solomon in terms of helping him get his freedom restored?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Author Northrup told his story, he introduced plantation owners and their wives. First, there was William Ford, and his wife, Mistress Ford. Then there was Edwin Epps and his wife, Mistress Epps.

Compare and contrast the demeanor and behavior of Mistress Ford and Mistress Epps. Was it possible that the demeanor and behavior of their respective husbands toward the slaves had anything to do with the ladies' demeanor and behavior toward the slaves as well?

Discuss the interaction between Solomon and Mistress Ford, as well as Mistress Epps and Patsey. Was there a similarity or difference in the manner that they interacted with one another that perhaps influenced by the manner in which their respective husbands treated those particular slaves? If yes, explain. If no, why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Based on his overall handling of the feud between Solomon and his master, John M. Tibeats, it could be said that Mr. Chapin, who oversaw William Ford’s plantation was a fair and honorable man.

Detail how Mr. Chapin earned the labeling of being fair and honorable. Did he do anything in relation to William Ford to earn that labeling? Specifically, what did he do in relation to the feud between Solomon and John M. Tibeats to gain a fair and honorable status? Did Mr. Chapin do anything or fail to do anything in relation to Ford, Solomon, or Tibeats that might have brought his status into question? If yes, please detail.

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