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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 was the nature of the meetings that Bass held with Solomon with regard to restoring his freedom?

2. How did Solomon view Bass to be in relation to his lifestyle?

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

4. The approach toward Solomon by two individuals on the Epps Plantation signaled which of the following?

5. In general, how did Bass view slavery?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 15 of the story, what were some of the everyday things that Solomon and the other slaves did not miss at Christmastime?

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

4. In Chapter 20 of the book, how did Samuel Bass manage to carry out his effort to help Solomon regain his freedom despite Epps' presence?

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

6. How did Samuel Bass show others that he was against slavery in Chapter 19 of the book?

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

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Twelve Years a Slave, Author Solomon Northrup mentioned slave dealers and owners who routinely abused their slaves in cruel and inhumane ways. In doing so, he mentioned Burch, Tibeats, Epps, and others. Looking at the slave-related abuse carried out by those men and others like them, to what element(s) could their cruel and inhumane ways be attributed? Were they simply mean, angry men? Did they appear to be intoxicated when they punished or abused their slaves? Were they angry about other matters and simply wanted to take out their frustrations on their slaves? Was their environment or upbringing to blame? Was there a common thread that bound them together in relation to the punishment and abuse that they inflicted upon their slaves? How could their behavior be explained?

Select three slave owners or dealers from the names provided above, and write your reply to the questions posed in the introduction above, in relation to their abusive and inhumane treatment of slaves.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

In Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon was treated harshly and without respect by white men whom he came in contact with, either through master/slave-type interaction, or through a different type of circumstance or coincidence. On the other side of the coin however, it should be noted that Solomon was also treated well and with respect by white men whom he came in contact with, either through master/slave-type interaction, or through a different type of circumstance or coincidence. In fact, some even took action on his behalf, to restore his rights and privileges as a free man, and even as a slave.

Name two (2) white men who treated Solomon well and with respect. Describe the type of contact and interaction that they had with Solomon that qualified them to be acknowledged in a positive way in their dealings with him.

Also discuss the action that those men took toward helping Solomon restore his rights and privileges as a free man.

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