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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 does Mrs. Shelby feel about the people who are in charge of the search party?

2. What is it that Mrs. Bird feels is ignored by the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act?

3. Shortly before Chapter 1 ends, what is Eliza afraid will happen?

4. Who is "Mr. Butler?"

5. Where is Mr. Butler headed when the reader meets him in the tavern?

Short Essay Questions

1. When and how do George and Eliza show their true religious nature?

2. What character says, "don't quote the Bible at me that way," and what does this quotation reveal about his character?

3. How does Harry's tolerance for being a slave compare or contrast with Eliza's?

4. Why might the author so frequently speak directly to the reader and asks the reader questions as she does in the last four to five paragraphs at the end of this chapter?

5. How does the reader know that Eliza trusts Mrs. Shelby?

6. Why do black people in the novel freely use the "n" word?

7. Compare or contrast Mr. Shelby's and Mr. Haley's opinions on how to treat slaves should be treated.

8. What does the reader's first impression of Harry reveal about him?

9. What is the significance of John Von Trompe being described as a former "land-holder and slave owner in the state of Kentucky?"

10. What is the effect of describing the actual cabin of Uncle Tom as a place where flowers grow and people worship and eat together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a female writer who was vehemently against slavery. Discuss the female characters, both black and white, whom she created to "speak" for her cause and evaluate how effectively Stowe used each of these female characters furthered the thinking against slavery.

Essay Topic 2

In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Stowe has her principle black characters return to Africa and do missionary work. Evaluate that "ending" versus having them remain in Canada. What does this ending suggest about her feelings about:

a. racial integration,

b. the eventual abolition of slavery,

c. the contribution of blacks to American society, and

d. the obligation that white Americans had to the slaves that they obtained and exploited?

You may decide to write about three or all four of these topics.

Essay Topic 3

Stowe has the frail, wealthy white child, Eva befriend and defend Topsy, the abused and incorrigible slave child who is with her family. Explain what purpose their contrasting characters and relationship has in furthering Stowe's feelings about slavery, morality, and religion.

(see the answer keys)

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