Harriet Hemings tells the story of her final years on Monticello through journal entries. Why do you think the author wrote the story in this way? Why does Jefferson give Harriet the journal? Do you think this is a gift of kindness or a sign of his deeper relationship to Harriet? Is it common for a slave, such as Harriet, to know how to read and write or to have such a good education? Why do you think Jefferson gives Harriet this education?

Discuss freedom and its meaning to the slaves of Jefferson's time. Why is freedom so important to Sally Hemings, Thruston and Mammy Ursula in the novel? Why is it not important to Harriet? If freedom is so important to Sally Hemings, why does she not take it when she is in France and could remain free? Is it unfair of Sally to...