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

2. What does Harriet tell Madison and Eston all the children in their family will do when their time comes?

3. What do Harriet, Eston, and Madison do together while she tells them about accepting her freedom?

4. In Early July 1820, where does Harriet find her brothers?

5. What does Harriet have bad dreams about shortly before she leaves the plantation?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Harriet explain to Beverly her belief that she is not turning her back on her family and race by passing for white?

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

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

4. In October of 1821, why is Harriet spending her free time walking around the plantation?

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

6. What do Harriet and her siblings hope Sally will admit before Harriet leaves, but Sally never does?

7. What is Jefferson's personal conflict regarding his attitude toward Sally and her children?

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

9. When Harriet visits Mammy Ursula in That Same Day, May 17, 1822, how does Mammy Ursula respond to Harriet's revelation that she'll be leaving the plantation soon?

10. What about Jefferson's fulfilling of his promise to Sally to free her children makes Sally sad?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which characters play a role in making Harriet see how important it is to take her freedom? What do they do that helps to convince her? Why are these characters successful in convincing her even when her own mother is not?

Essay Topic 2

Sally is a very complex character. She is at once a slave and a lover, a mother and a woman who pushes her children away. She has definite reasons for all of the things she does, yet she doesn't overtly express her reasons. What impact do her contrasting roles have on Harriet's life? What effect does her inability to express her feelings and reasons to her children have on them?

Essay Topic 3

Although Jefferson is an actual historical figure, the author undoubtedly takes some license in the portrayal of his character and the relationship between Jefferson, Sally, and Harriet. Discuss the way in which Jefferson's character and his interactions with Sally and Harriet are portrayed. What parts of these interactions are likely literary fabrications? Are there certain elements we know to be true? What are these elements?

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