Discussion+Questions

Here is our discussion questions:

Why doesn't Abram work at the fields? -Granny depends on him and master doesn't know he's aging and not working at the fields. What was the singing for? -To help them go faster and work together. It serves as a distraction. -Why do you think Abram loves Eliza so much? Heidi A Because she is a happy thing in his life. -Do you think ELiza will have a hard time because the master is her father? Yes, she will. The other slaves might not like her because she is prettier and she might think she is better. Heidi A What do the two crows symbolize on page 5?-Maddy W The crows symbolize luck and the start of a new thing. It is important that the two crows come, because at this time Eliza has just entered the world and she brings hope to Aunt Charity and Abram. Why is it that Abram doesn't usually laugh?-Maddy W Abram has little to nothing to laugh about, he has overcome many challenges. As a slave Abram is constantly insulted and whipped, I am sure that this would effect a person's perspective on life. Do you think the master knows Eliza is his daugter?-Kimberly H. -Yes. What is a breeding slave?-Kimberly H. - A slave that is only used for making babies.
 * Due Friday 1/9, chapters 1-2:**

What does Eliza symbolize? -Love and hope for the future. Every cloud has a silver lining.What are the differences between Miss Layotte and regular slaves? -She probably gets better food and necessities. She speaks and dresses differently. -Even if master knew who was his slave children, do you think he would aknowlege it or even care? Heidi A He might not aknowlege it because it would seem scandalous. But he might treat his children a little differently. -Do you think that the white girls will ever find out about Eliza? Heidi A Yes. They will get older and realize the truth. What does Granny mean when she says, "think Master is god, but he's the devil"?-Maddy W They think that he is a great person, because he has a large house. Granny knows that he is bad since she has been around for a while and faced many whippings. Granny looks at things realistically. What was the significance of Abram thinking, Miss Abigail was seven years to my eight years, but she was mistress over me,"?-Maddy W Abram is realizing that he is a slave and that white people are treated with more respect and given power over blacks. Abram is also realizing that it does not matter how old you are, white is considered better than black. What do you think Granny means when she says: "house slaves are cut from a different cloth than us"?-Kimberly H. -She means that they are a completely different kind of slave.
 * Due Tuesday 1/13, chapters 3-5:**

Do you think that it is dangerous for Eliza to become friends with the Master's children?-Kimberly H. -Yes. They will always treat her differently because she is a slave.

What does Abram becoming a field slave symbolize? -Growing up, more responsibility, moving on with life, that life is hard.How will becoming a slave effect Abram? -It will strengthen him morally and weaken him physically. It will also change his view on life and make him less optimistic. - Why is Miss Abigail so mean and bossy? Heidi A Because she had grown up so rich and spoiled, everyone around her was racist as well. - Why does the oversser take the baby? Heidi A They sell to get money and its "the master's child." Why does Miss Layotte say, "make me, child" when referring to being able to bath?-Maddy W Miss Layotteis clearly not happy where she is and is forced to do many things. This also shows that something is bothering Miss Layotte. What does gathering their hands in a circle symbolize?-Maddy W Gathering their hands in a circle symbolizes being together. Being together provides hope and hope is one of the only things that a master cannot take from you. What do you think Granny means when she says: "house slaves are cut from a different cloth than us"?-Kimberly H. -She means that they are a completely different kind of slave.
 * Due Wednesday 1/14, chapters 6-7:**

Do you think that it is dangerous for Eliza to become friends with the Master's children?-Kimberly H. -Yes. They will always treat her differently because she is a slave.

Do you think Granny would be happy herself is she was freed? -It would be bitter sweet. She would be mad because she needs to be busy.Why is Granny so narrow minded? -She is racist and she doesn't know any other way. -Is Abigail in charge of her listtle sister, and do you think that anyone cares that she's so mean?? Heidi A Abigail isn't in charge, but has a huge ego. No one cares because she's white and the daughter of a slave owner. -Why do you think Emma goes along with it? Heidi A Emma goes with it because she has to listen to her older sister, so she's used to it. Why is it that Eliza wants nothing to do with the breeding cabins?-Maddy W Eliza has grown up helping taking care of the breeding cabin and experienced the troubles of working their. Eliza has then also seen the mansion house and would much rather be a nanny or a house slave. What was the importance of the song sang by Miss Layotte?-Maddy W Before this Abram thinks that being a house slave is the best kind of slave to be and cannot understand what is bothering Miss Layotte. Now Abram sees that Miss Layotte has been sold away form the only family that she has ever known and is lonely. Do you think Eliza will ever be a nanny at the big house?-Kimberly H. -No. They treat her like a pet. Why do you think Miss Layotte is so sad?-Kimberly H. -She has no one to talk to in the Big House, she was taken from her family, and she has to serve the white brats all day.
 * Due Thursday 1/15, chapters 8-10:**

Do you think Eliza should be treated differently? -No. Master doesn't care about her.Could it be really that bad if your dad was the master? -Yes, you have to live with hate for your father and other people making assumptions. -Do you think miss Layotte is as sad as the feild slaves? Heidi A Yes, maybe even more. She has no family or anything really. -Why does the master father his children? Why not just ask the slaves to have thier own children? Heidi A Because the master owns them, he is power crazy. He just want money. What did the man mean when he said, "Slaves all in the belly of the whale,"?- Maddy W He is comparing them to Jonah and the whale. Slaves have hit rock bottom. This is a good comparison in the fact that life for a slave on a southern plantation in at "rock bottom". What was the significance of Abram thinking," We kept waiting for the stars to come out, but they never did,"?-Maddy W The significance of Abram thinking this is that Abram is realizing that nothing good is going to come and is loosing hope. Hope is so important to keep on going. Why do you think Abram runs from the dance?-Kimberly H. -He got scared and nervous. Why does the overseer not care that 7 babies died?-Kimberly H. -He doesn't care because they are black babies.
 * Due Friday 1/16, chapters 11-13:**

Do slaves put themselves first or before other slaves? -Most learn to be selfless. They dont have hope for themselves so they have hope for others.Why do you think people will try and buy Eliza? -Yes because she is almost white and she is beautiful. -Why would Miss Abigail hate Eliza even if no white man would like her?Heidi A Because of jealousy, and Miss Abigail is afraid that people will think Eliza is white. -Do slaves treat Eliza differently and why? Heidi A They might feel differently about her, but might try to not treat her differently. Would Abram be a lot different if he had a father?-Maddy W Abram would definitely be a lot different if he had a father. Abram worked in the breeding cabins and this would not have happened if he had had a father. Also Abram might not have been as protective over Eliza as he is. What does Granny mean when she says," for slaves there's no hidin' place,"?-Maddy W Granny means that even if you escape from the plantation when you go out into the town you will be sent right back. Also Granny means that even if you run away you will never be treated equaly. Do you think the reason the Master's girls are so mean to Eliza is because they share a dad?-Kimberly H. -Parially. Also they were jealous. What do you think the man in the white suit wants?-Kimberly H. -He wants a younger, pretty, girl slave who is also hardworking. He probably wants her to be his Mistress.
 * Due Monday 119, chapters 14-18:**

Do you think Eliza still feels some connection to white people even though she is free because of her dad? -Yes because she looks like them and still has family ties.How do you think Abram feels about Eliza's freedom? -He is happy and joyous and probably proud of himself because he helped buy her freedom. -Do you think Master only sold Eliza because of Abigail? Heidi A Yes, because Abigail always hated Eliza. Master just catered to her wants. - Do you think Miss Emma and her mother approve of slavery or how slaves are treated? Heidi A Maybe, they are used to slaver, but don't like how they are treated. Why do crows appear so often in the book? What is their symbolizm?- Maddy W
 * Due Tuesday 1/20, 19-End of book:**

Crows represent freedom and hope. Freedom and hope are what every slave dreams of and wiches that they were free to be treated equaly with the whites. Every slaves dreams of equality, but this will not happen for a while. When Eliza was freed what were Abram's initial feelings?-Maddy W Abram was worried that Eliza would not be treated very well at the same time he was happy that Eliza was going to be free from slave life. How did the slaves get the money they gave Abram? What would happen to them if the master found out they had money?-Kimberly H. -They saved it. He would take it from them. Do you think Eliza will still face oppression in the North?-Kimberly H. -Yes. She is beautiful.