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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 an important factor to the slaves at the time that they were sold?

2. How could Solomon best be described as he argued with Burch right before his beating?

3. Based on the description that Solomon wrote, what did his room at Williams' Pen Slave Pen resemble?

4. Why was it important to Chapin to keep a dog on the property of the great house where he and Solomon stayed?

5. How could the purchase of Solomon, Eliza, and Harry from Freeman be viewed?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6 of the book, what did Freeman's customers do to examine his merchandise before making a purchase?

2. What was Solomon's first impression of Eliza in Chapter 3 of the book?

3. In the opening Chapter of the book, what did Solomon Northrup acknowledge as a contributing factor in his decision to write his book?

4. In Chapter 7 of the book, how was Solomon's new master, John M. Tibeats different from William Ford?

5. In Chapter 1 of his book, how was Author Solomon Northrup able to depict his early years in life as normal?

6. In Chapter 6 of the book, who suffered during the sale conducted at Freeman's Pen?

7. In Chapter 7 of the book, how could Solomon's new master, William Ford be characterized?

8. How did Solomon prove to be a resourceful type of person for his master, William Ford in Chapter 7 of the book?

9. In Chapter 8 of the book, how did Mr. Chapin protect Solomon from being hurt or murdered by John Tibeats?

10. In Chapter 6 of the book, how did slave dealer Theoplilus Freeman treat the slaves whom he owned?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

NOTE: This is a two-part essay question. All of the questions with the exception of the final question, require only a brief reply. The final question requires you to elaborate (explain your answer in detail).

While working for the tyrannical Tibeats, Solomon was hired out to help William Ford’s brother-in-law, Peter Tanner; and a neighboring planter, Mr. Eldret. Both times, Solomon performed his work well; and despite being temporarily owned by both men, he was not whipped or abused by either one of them.

Briefly discuss the following factors that may have kept either or both men from whipping or abusing Solomon, as follows:

Is it fair to say that the two men, Tanner and Eldret, were simply interested in having Solomon work for them, and that by nature were not abusive in any way? Why or why not?

Were the factors religious in nature? If yes, what were they? If not, why not?

Did their lack of familiarity with Solomon keep either or both men from whipping or abusing him? If yes, how can you tell?

Were the men simply not wanting to harm what they considered to be Tibeats’ property? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Did Tanner, Eldret or both men feel that by hiring Solomon from Tibeats, they were in essence simply buying a “service” from Tibeats and their business ethic kept them from whipping or abusing Solomon? If yes, how could you tell?

Were there any other factors not mentioned at play? If yes, what were they?

Which of the factors that you have discussed thus far seemed to be the most influential in keeping either Tanner, Eldret, or both of them from whipping or abusing Solomon?

Finally, elaborate (explain in detail) the reasons that supports the choice that you have made.

Essay Topic 2

Bayou Bœuf slave owner, William Ford was in the business of selling lumber; and Edwin Epps was in the business of selling cotton.

Explain: Between both men, who was richer? Ford? Or Epps? What made one richer than the other? The type of business that they were in? The way that they treated their help? Was one better at negotiating price than the other? Did religion play any part in one being richer than the other? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, Author Solomon Northrup discussed the fact that planters treated their slaves as property. Northrup described how slave after slave was beaten by his or her planter, to the point of scarring them, thus lowering the slave’s value; or causing immobilization to the point that the slave was no longer able to work.

Should the planters’ behavior in beating their slaves therefore, been considered self-destructive in nature since in essence upon beating their slaves, the planters were reducing the value of or destroying their own property? Please state your position, plus list and discuss the reason(s) upon which you are relying to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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