Chap 6
Who was the presiding elder over the district that included Stamps?
Reverend Howard Thomas
Where did Mr. Murphy sleep when he came through the last time?
Mr. Murphy slept on a pallet.
How were Stamps, Arkansas, and Chitlin’ Switch, Georgia, alike?
Both towns contained prejudiced people. Segregation and prejudice seemed to be a way of life in the Depression-era South.
What was Marguerite's father's job?
He had been a doorman at Santa Monica’s plush Breakers Hotel.
What did Marguerite think was the best thing the city had to offer?
Marguerite thought the best thing the city had to offer was peanuts mixed with jelly beans.
Who was the woman who caused problems in the church service?
Sister Monroe
Did Mrs. Henderson think that “whitefolks” could be talked to safely and reasonably?
Mrs. Henderson believed that one risked his/her life to talk with “whitefolks.”
What color, according to Marguerite, was God?
According to Marguerite, God was white.
Where did their mother live?
Their mother lived in St. Louis.
Grandmother Baxter is described as being a quadroon or an octoroon. What does this mean in Marguerite’s language?
Marguerite said that her grandmother was nearly white.
What spoiled the breakfast on the mornings the preacher stayed with them?
The preacher prayed so long the food became cold and they lost their appetites.
What subject was the only one that Mrs. Henderson give direct answers?
Mrs. Henderson would give direct answers on the subject of religion.
When did the “Negro community” finally realize that the Depression had come to Stamps?
The “Negro community” knew the Depression had come when cotton dropped from ten cents to eight, to seven, and finally to five cents.
How did Bailey react to his mother?
Bailey fell instantly and forever in love with their mother, when he finally saw her.
What office did Grandmother Baxter hold which gave her power?
Grandmother Baxter was precinct captain; this gave her power.
Where did Marguerite and Bailey sit in church when the church elder came?
Marguerite and Bailey sat on the front row on the mourner’s bench.
Who were Mrs. Henderson’s first, second and last husbands? What were their names?
1st: Mr. Johnson
2nd: Mr. Henderson
Last: Mr. Murphy
Why did Marguerite think Uncle Willie was vain?
Marguerite thought Uncle Willie was vain when she had to iron seven starched white shirts and not iron any wrinkles into the material.
How did Marguerite feel about leaving with her father?
Marguerite could not make up her mind. She wanted to go with Bailey, but she wanted stay with her grandmother also.
Who is Mr. Freeman?
Mother's boyfriend
Why was Deuteronomy Marguerite’s favorite book of the Bible?
Marguerite liked Deuteronomy because she hoped that she could follow all the rules to avoid hell and brimstone.
Name one instance of discrimination you see in Chapter 7.
When the judge called “a Negro woman Mrs.,” everyone was surprised because titles were not given to “the Negroes.” Another evidence of discrimination was not thinking “a Negro” could own a store. The segregated worship services were other examples of discrimination.
What did the children receive from their father and mother on that “terrible Christmas”?
Father: a picture of himself
Mother: Marguerite got a tea set—a teapot, four cups and saucers and tiny spoons—and a doll with blue eyes and rosy cheeks and yellow hair painted on her head. Marguerite doesn't tell us what Bailey received.
How did Marguerite’s father treat her, according to Marguerite?
Marguerite felt her father favored Bailey over her. She felt he made fun of her and rejected her.
How did Marguerite compare the teachers in Stamps with those in St. Louis?
Marguerite thought the teachers were more formal than those in Stamps; they didn’t whip the children with switches; they gave them licks on the hands with rulers; they were not as friendly as those in Stamps.