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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. According to Sally, in The Middle of August 1822, what is making Jefferson sad?

2. When Harriet goes to visit Mammy Ursula in May 17, 1822, what is Mammy doing?

3. What does Harriet's fiance tell her he does not want her to give up too quickly?

4. Where does Harriet meet Beverly before he leaves?

5. In May 15, 1822, what does Harriet say scares her about Beverly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harriet finally realize when she considers that the other slave girls have only getting married and having babies in their futures?

2. Why is Harriet's fiance worried that by becoming engaged to him she will be trading one master for another?

3. What does Mammy Ursula say to Harriet that eases her feelings about Sally's apparent lack of concern at her leaving?

4. In The Middle of August 1822, what reason does Sally finally tell her children is the reason she left France and returned to Monticello?

5. Why is Jefferson a little offended when he learns of Harriet's engagement to Thad?

6. Why is it so important to Harriet that Mammy Ursula and Thruston approve of her decision to leave the plantation and pass as white?

7. In the section titled May 15, 1822, what decision has Beverly made that pleases Harriet?

8. What characteristic of Harriet's makes Thruston proud of her?

9. What about Sally's attitude toward Beverly's decision on the subject of his freedom bothers Harriet?

10. Why is it clear that Peter Carr is not Harriet's or Beverly's father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Madison and Eston, as a pair, and Beverly symbolize to contrasting mindsets regarding Harriet's decision to pass as white. What do Madison and Eston symbolize? What does Beverly symbolize? Compare and contrast the characters.

Essay Topic 2

When Harriet visits Mammy Ursula she is unable to tell her that she is going to pass for white. Why is it so difficult for Harriet to voice her decision, and why is it so hard for Mammy to allow her to say it?

Essay Topic 3

Acceptance is one of the major themes in this book. There are many things Harriet must learn to accept, many ways in which she'd like to be accepted, and many people she'd like to be accepted by. Discuss at least one of each of these ways in which acceptance is portrayed. Explain each and give examples from the book.

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This section contains 713 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample