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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 happened in the weeks following the death at the St. Clare villa that most influenced Augustine and led to changes he made in the running of his household?

2. What is Mr. Shelby's opinion of Mrs. Shelby's knowledge of business?

3. What illness has Tom Lokar been laid up with for three weeks?

4. When Rosa and Ophelia think they see Topsy hiding something she has stolen, what does this item turn out to be?

5. Who greets Eliza with the words, "darling, I'm your mother!"

Short Essay Questions

1. With all the happy endings in the book, why might Stowe have chosen to have Tom, the most beloved character, beat to death?

2. What does Stowe insist that Northerners do to truly live by their Christian beliefs?

3. What event triggers the turning point in Augustine's religious beliefs and who is responsible for his religious education here?

4. Why might Stowe have had the significant black characters who are now free end up going to Africa to do missionary work?

5. What purpose does Augustine St. Clare's defense of slavery serve to the reader?

6. How is Tom's death the epitome of selflessness and forgiveness?

7. How do the physical descriptions of Simon Legree himself and his plantation symbolize his character?

8. How does Miss Ophelia's feelings about "training" Topsy reveal what the problem is for people who attempt to control their servants or slaves with violence?

9. What is Mr. Shelby's objection to Mrs. Shelby having taught religion to the slaves?

10. How does the language of Eliza and George's escape to freedom reflect the mood of this journey--"The blue waves of Lake Erie danced, rippling and sparkling in the sunlight. A fresh breeze blew from the shore, and the lordly boat ploughed her way right gallantly onward."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once Tom is sold to the St. Clare family, he and little Eva St. Clare develop a true friendship.

a. What is the common bond of these two characters?

b. How does their friendship help Stowe's argument that slavery is inherently inhumane?

c. How is it significant that both of these characters die?

Essay Topic 2

While the author is writing to protest and put an end to slavery, she was writing for a significant portion of the population that believed slavery was necessary to their economy. On a very basic level, she had to show what was evil about slavery. What situations did she create to most effectively show the evils of slavery? To discuss this, review the treatments of specific slaves in specific incidents such as Tom, Eliza, George, Aunt Chloe, Emmeline, and Topsy.

Essay Topic 3

There are several characters in Uncle Tom's Cabin who exemplify courage; conversely, there are several who exemplify cowardice. Identify these characters as their depiction of courage or cowardice. Then specifically refer to what actions or words of theirs come to embody these qualities and define courage and cowardice.

(see the answer keys)

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