Ch. 20
How is the relationship between Amari and Polly changing?
Amari and Polly are becoming friends. Polly begins to treat Amari with respect after she witnesses what a difficult life Amari has. Amari also understands Polly more.
Whose perspective is this chapter from?
Polly
Why is Polly excited at the beginning of the chapter?
Amari and Polly are sent to work in the big house as servants. Polly is excited because she wants to be a servant working in the big house.
Who's perspective is this chapter from?
Amari
What does Clay tell Teenie at the beginning of the chapter?
He tells Teenie that she better keep Hushpuppy out of the kitchen when she is cooking his food.
Define exultation.
a feeling of great happiness or excitement
Describe Isabelle Derby.
She is Mr. Derby's second wife who is pregnant. She is young, pretty, and always wears white. She is unhappy in her life and wants to be somewhere else. Mrs. Derby is very kind to the slaves on the plantation.
Amari and Polly meet Cato. Who is he?
Cato is the oldest slave on Derbyshire Farms. He has survived the rice fields for 18 years.
What does Lena tell Amari and Polly about Noah?
Noah is the coachman, butler, and Mrs. Derby's bodyguard. Mrs. Derby has taught him how to read.
Describe Amari's healing process. Who helps her?
Amari is beaten so severely that she is unconscious for three days. During that time, Polly puts salve on Amari's wounds and is by her bedside to give her some comfort. Mrs. Derby also helps Amari recover from her wounds.
Why is Mr. Derby so nervous when Mrs. Derby goes into labor?
His first wife died in childbirth and he fears that might happen again.
Give a synonym for diminutive.
small
How might Mrs. Derby's life be like a slave's?
Mrs. Derby's money and property are controlled by her husband so she is not free to do whatever she wants. She has to live on Derbyshire Farms, she is isolated from family and friends.
What are conditions like on the rice fields?
Cato describes that working in the rice fields is dangerous and laborious work. Most slaves that work in the fields do not survive more than 5 years.
How does Mr. Derby treat Mrs. Derby?
Mr. Derby treats his wife like a "delicate possession rather than a real person" (Draper 142). He does not really ask her anything nor does he make conversation with her. He seems to be concerned only with his baby.
What has Mr. Derby threatened Amari with?
He has threatened to send her to the rice fields.
Mrs. Derby goes into labor. What is the gender of the baby? Why is his/her birth significant?
Mrs. Derby has a girl and her birth is significant because she is Black indicating that Mr. Derby is not the father.
Define consternation and give an example sentence.
feelings of anxiety or dismay;
Amari lives in an almost permanent state of consternation.
How does Amari feel around Mrs. Derby?
Amari feels safe around her. She feels comforted by Mrs. Derby's empathy.
What are the dangers of working in the rice fields?
Heatstroke, malaria, pneumonia, other diseases through mosquitoes, malnutrition, snakes, and alligators.
Describe how Polly is changing in this chapter.
Polly overhears Mr. Derby talking about buying and selling slaves and she becomes uncomfortable. The people that Mr. Derby is describing are her friends now. She has lived and worked with them for a few months and she regards them as real people. Polly no longer has a prejudice against slaves.
How are Polly and Amari different in this chapter?
Polly is more caring with Amari. They are becoming closer and more mature.
Why is Amari "wary" of Clay's friends?
Define sauntered and use it in a sentence.
to walk in a slow, relaxed manner without hurry or effort.
Clay seems to saunter wherever he goes.
Why do the slaves sing when they work?
Amari explains that the slaves sing to feel free. However, slaves sang spirituals when they worked as a way to communicate with each other, pray and find some comfort and hope.
What advice does Cato give Amari?
Cato warns Amari that she should do everything she can to stay away from the rice fields or to run away.
What does Amari do at the end of the chapter and what is the consequence?
Unfortunately, Amari spills some blueberry pie on the floor and is whipped by Mr. Derby.
Why would Clay buy Amari candy?
Clay may feel bad about his father beating her and wants to do something kind for her.
What happens during the "gator hunt"? What is this about?
Clay displays Amari as his property and then throws Tidbit into the water. Tidbit is ordered to swim faster than the other alligators in the water however, what they really want him to do is to attract to follow him so that Clay and his friends can shoot the alligator. Tidbit is tortured like this until Clay and his friends get tired but Tidbit survives.
Define deftly and give two synonyms and two antonyms.
in a way that is neatly skillful and quick in movement.