Characters
The indentured servant who must work for Mr. Derby for the next 14 years
Who is Polly?
“They expect to be disciplined..It shows them that I care enough to make sure they do their tasks correctly."
Who is Clay?
What is Derbyshire Farms?
Polly's attitude toward slaves at the beginning of the auction and how she felt listening to Mr. Derby and Clay speaking in the wagon on the way back to the plantation
At first, Polly does not like Negroes as she believes they talked funny, ...smelled bad, and they were ugly. They also "made it difficult for regular folks like herself to get work."
On the way to the plantation, she begins to feel sorry for Amari because she knows that Amari was purchased as a "gift" for Clay
The reason why Mr. Derby purchases Amari at the slave auction.
What is he wanted to give her to his son as a birthday present?
The well-dressed slave who accompanies Mr. Derby and his son Clay to town. He is also the driver of Mr. Derby's wagon.
Who is Noah?
“Not all white people are rich landowners,...Most white folks I know scuffle for every scrap of food they get.”
Who is Polly?
Where the slaves lived
What is a small wooden shack
The attitude of the Derby men towards white women and black women
What is Mr. Derby believes that “White women, like my Isabelle and your mother before her, are to be respected and treated like fine china,” while “Black women are different, ...They like it when you pick them out for special favors at night...it reminds them...who is the master and who is the slave.”
They don't believe that any women should be educated, black or white
The reason why Polly became an indentured servant
What is she had to pay off her parents' debts and she needed a place to go?
The small black woman who runs the kitchen at Derbyshire Farms
Who is Teenie?
“Those jungle words have no meaning to civilized humans. I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself!”
Who is Percival Derby?
Daily Double
Some of the ingredients Teenie used to make "Hoppin' John" that she fed Polly and Amari. Name at least two
What are: brown peas, salt pork, onions, yellow rice
The way Teenie spoke to Polly and Amari and the way Mr. Derby spoke to them
What is Teenie was kind and caring and did not want/expect to be called "miss" because she was a slave.
Mr. Derby was demanding and expected to be treated with respect
The reason Noah is so well-dressed even though he is a slave
What is because Mr. Derby wanted to impress people when he went to town and make them think he cared about his slaves
Daily Double
Born in England, he had trouble with alcohol and not being able to pay his debts.He taught his daughter to disrespect black people.
Who is Polly's father?
“Massa Clay say he want his birthday present now. I’m to take her there.”
Who is Tidbit?
What is somewhat unusual about the fact that Teenie and Tidbit live together at Derbyshire Farms?
What is most children were sold away from their parents.
Mr. Derby's attitude towards his own family and his feelings about slaves' family ties
What is Mr. Derby loves his family and wants Clay to be more loving towards his stepmother.
As for slaves, he believes that "family ties only confuse the poor creatures" and "They’ll forget each other as soon as the sun sets."
The reason why Mr. Derby told Polly that Amari was her responsibility
What is he wanted Polly to teach Amari English, the way to act, and make sure that Amari is brought to Clay whenever he sends for her
The small dog who knows "how to hush and hide,”
Who is Hushpuppy?
"White women with indentures got it easy—eventually, you can fit in.”
Who is Teenie?
How did the slaves behave when Mr. Derby's wagon pulled up to Derbyshire Farms
What is some brought out a tray of cold drinks for Mr. Derby and his son, another brought out a broom to sweep the path behind them (to keep everything clean)
What Polly hopes to do at Derbyshire Farms compared to what Mr. Derby wants her to do.
What is Polly hopes to work in the house and learn how to be a lady while Mr. Derby wants her to teach Amari English and how to "act civilized"
The reason why Teenie was shocked when Polly told her about her parents.
What is she was shocked that Polly's mother worked as a maid and also a beggar because she had never seen a white woman as a maid