Author’s Note & “Heritage” by Countee Cullen
- What is Draper’s personal connection to slavery?
- Explain the connection between Draper’s note and Cullen’s poem.
- Why do you think the last four lines of the poem are italicized?
- Why would Draper use a phrase from this poem as the title of her novel?
Chapter 1: Amari and Besa
- Describe life in Ziavi.
- Despite being so far away, how is Amari’s life similar to that of an American teenage girl today?
- Contrast the way Besa anticipates the guests with the way Amari’s mother does. Whose reaction do you trust? Why?
Chapter 2: Strangers and Death
- Why do you think the Ashanti accompanied the pale strangers?
- What is the reason for attacking during a ceremony?
- Why do you think some were killed and others were captured?
Chapter 3: Sorrow and Shackles
- What does the Ashanti imply by “this time I will be greatly rewarded”?
- What do you think keeps Amari going?
- Amari feels Besa’s face has become a mask. What does that mean?
Chapter 4: Death March to Cape Coast
- How does their destination differ from the Africa Amari has known?
- What effect does the conversation with the woman have on Amari?
Chapter 5: The Door of No Return
- Why do you think the men put salves on their wounds and give them generous portions of water and food?
Chapter 6: From Sand to Ship
- Why does Afi tell Amari to forget Besa?
- Amari knew that she would never see Africa again. How do you think she is feeling as she nears the ship?
Chapter 7: Ship of Death
- Why would the sailors be even angrier than before after the losing the mother and daughter to the sharks?
Chapter 8: Toward the Edge of the World
- Why do the sailors bring the captives on deck to dance? How is this dancing and drumming different from the dancing and drumming in Africa?
Chapter 9: Lessons—Painful and Otherwise
- How can knowing English help Amari?
Chapter 10: The Middle Passage
- Why is it an advantage to understand more English than she can say?
- Why was the storm so devastating?
Chapter 11: Land Ho
- Why do you think the slaves were treated better as they get closer to Carolina (and what seems like the end of their journey)?
Chapter 12: Welcome to Sullivan’s Island
- How are beauty and strength going to be important to Amari’s survival?
Chapter 13: The Slave Auction
- Summarize the advice that Tybee gives the newly arrived Africans.
Chapter 14: The Slave Sale
- Who is the slave girl purchased by Mr. Percival Derby?
- What surprises Polly about the girl’s reaction to the sale?
Chapter 15: Polly and Clay
- How does Polly differ from Clay’s expectation regarding an indentured girl?
- What are Polly’s goals for her life? How does she think her time with the Derbys will help her achieve them?
- What shocking realization does she make (in regards to these goals) upon arrival at the plantation?
Chapter 16: Teenie and Tidbit
- Why would Teenie encourage Amari to keep her English secret from the Derbys?
Chapter 17: Amari and Adjustments
- What are some of the ways Teenie helps Amari adjust to life at Derbyshire Farms?
- How would you describe Clay’s feelings about Amari?
Chapter 18: Roots and Dirt
- Why do you think Amari wants a root that kills?
- How did the death of the first Mrs. Derby affect Mr. Derby? Clay?
Chapter 19: Peaches and Memories
- How is the relationship between Amari and Polly changing?
Chapter 20: Isabelle Derby
- How does Mrs. Derby differ from Clay and Mr. Derby?
Chapter 21: Rice and Snakes
- Why does Mr. Derby have to buy African men each year?
- What predictions does Cato make about Amari’s future?
- Identify the risks of working in the rice fields.
Chapter 22: Lashed with a Whip
- Describe Clay’s relationship with his step-mother.
- How does Noah differ from the other male slaves?
- How are Polly’s perceptions of slaves changing?
Chapter 23: Fiery Pain and Healing Hands
- Describe Amari’s healing process. Who helped and how? How did Clay respond?
Chapter 24: Gator Bait
- What do you think motivates Clay to do something so horrible?
Chapter 25: Birth of the Baby
- Why does Amari hide in the kitchen?
- Why is Mr. Derby so nervous?
Chapter 26: Facing Mr. Derby
- How does Mr. Derby react to the news? To Mrs. Derby? Toward the baby?
Chapter 27: Death in the Dust
- Why doesn’t he kill Mrs. Derby?
Chapter 28: Punishment
- Summarize Mr. Derby’s punishment plans for Teenie, Polly, and Amari.
Chapter 29: Locked in the Smokehouse
- What surprising news does Cato reveal about Dr. Hoskins?
- How is Cato going to ensure Clay cannot go to Charles Town in the morning?
- Why does Cato advise them to go South instead of North?
Chapter 30: Tidbit’s Farewell
- What is the significance of the piece of cloth Teenie gives Tidbit?
Chapter 31: The Doctor’s Choice
- Why does the doctor choose to help Amari, Polly, and Tidbit?
- What aid and advantages does he give them?
Chapter 32: The Journey Begins
- If you were Polly, Amari, or Tidbit, would you go north or south? Why?
Chapter 33: Deep in the Forest
- How does Amari provide food for the journey?
- What lesson does she share about living in harmony with nature?
Chapter 34: Lost Hushpuppy
- What are the risks of using the gun to get food?
Chapter 35: Dirt and Clay
- How did Clay find them?
- Explain how they got away and what you think will happen to Clay.
Chapter 36: Should We Trust Him
- What information does Nathan share with them about Fort Mose?
- Based on the events of the entire chapter, can they trust him? Why or why not?
Chapter 37: Lost and Found and Lost
- Summarize the changes in Besa. Why is he not interested in going south with Amari?
- What motivates Fiona to help the runaways?
Chapter 38: The Spanish Soldier
- What was the soldier afraid of?
- Does he believe Polly’s story about returning from a visit to her grandfather? How do you know?
- What does he reveal about Fort Mose?
Chapter 39: Crossing the River
- What does Amari attribute her physical weakness to?
- What is the significance of crossing the river?
Chapter 40: Time to Meet the Future
- How does Fort Mose live up to their expectations?
Chapter 41: Fort Mose
- What does Inez reveal to them about the realities of freedom?
- What jobs does Captain Menendez suggest that each of them should take at Fort Mose?
Chapter 42: Copper Sun
- What does Inez recognize about Amari’s physical condition?
- How does Amari’s choices of names reflect her acceptance of the condition?