Questions and Answers
The name of the church where Paul D slept in the cellar was the Church of the ________ ___________.
Holy Redeemer
[Paul D's] ________ ______, blown open, spilled contents that floated freely and made him their play and prey.
tobacco tin
Paul D had never had a real ________ except for his brothers at Sweet Home.
family
He may as well have jumped in the fire with _______ and they both could have had a good laugh.
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Sixo said Mr. Garner's stroke was a shot in his ear put there by a jealous _______.
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Who was the only Sweet Home slave who was not sorry to see Mr. Garner go?
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All the Sweet Home slaves' welfare depended on _________ being alive.
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It troubled Paul D that, concerning his own ________, he could not satisfy himself on that point.
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Before schoolteacher came to Sweet Home, the Paul brothers were 'protected and convinced they were ________.'
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In Alfred, Georgia....[Paul D] stayed alive to sing songs that _________ life and watched an aspen that confirmed it.
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What was the sign (signal) that would let the slaves know the caravan was waiting to take them to freedom?
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Who is tied up with the stock at night at the time the signal comes?
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Who hears the signal and begins to sing it to the others?
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Did Halle ever tell Sethe about the signal?
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Who never shows up at the creek as planned?
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Who escapes by running down the creekbed?
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Who grabs the end of a rifle and begins to sing?
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Paul D thinks that the _______ is what changed schoolteacher's mind and made him decide that Sixo would 'never be suitable.'
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While Sixo's feet are burning, he laughs and shouts out what?
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The white men finally have to _____ Sixo to stop his laughing and shouting.
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What does Paul D learn is his selling price?
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Schoolteacher puts a three-spoked _______ on Paul D's neck so that he can't lie down and chains his ankles together.
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Who does Paul D realize is dead as schoolteacher chains and collars him?
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He didn't understand the words [of Sixo's song]. Although it shouldn't have mattered because he understood the sound: _______ so loose it was juba.
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Sethe was more valuable to schoolteacher than Paul D because she was 'property that __________ itself without cost.'
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Sixo shouted '_________' because he knew that his Thirty-Mile Woman had gotten away and that she was pregnant with his child.
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Who/What smiled at Paul D as they hitched him to the buckboard as if to say 'You ain't seen nothing yet.'?
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Study Notes
Key Characters and References
- Holy Redeemer: The church where Paul D found shelter symbolizing refuge and past suffering.
- Paul D: A former slave whose identity and manhood are central themes; struggles with his past and sense of belonging.
- Sixo: A character who embraces life and laughter despite oppression; represents resistance and hope within the community.
- Mr. Garner: The previous owner of Sweet Home, whose death signals a change in the dynamic among the slaves.
- Halle: A slave who communicates a signal through song, showcasing the importance of oral tradition and community.
Themes of Identity and Freedom
- Family: Paul D's only sense of family comes from the brotherhood with fellow slaves, specifically at Sweet Home.
- Manhood: The struggle for recognition and agency is highlighted through Paul D's thoughts about himself and others.
- Specialness: Before the arrival of schoolteacher, the Paul brothers felt a sense of special protection as slaves.
- Value of Slaves: Paul D learns that his worth is measured in monetary terms, reflecting on the dehumanizing aspects of slavery.
Signals of Resistance and Escape
- Rattle: A signal indicating the arrival of freedom; key element in the slaves' communication and escape plan.
- Sixo's Song: The song is pivotal in changing schoolteacher's perceptions and represents a form of resistance and identity.
- Thirty-Mile Woman: An escapee symbolizing hope and the relentless pursuit of freedom amidst adversity.
Violence and Oppression
- Physical Restraints: Paul D is restrained with a collar and chains, signifying the cruelty of his reality.
- Sixo's Fate: The violent reaction by the white men to silence Sixo’s laughter illustrates the harsh suppression of joy and resistance.
Emotional Resonance
- Hatred: Sixo's song embodies a complex emotional response to oppression; it evokes a communal spirit in the face of suffering.
- Valuable Property: Sethe's ability to reproduce makes her valuable to schoolteacher, underscoring themes of exploitation and commodification in slavery.
Significant Events and Symbols
- Nine Hundred Dollars: Paul D’s selling price highlights the commodification of human life.
- Rifle and Song: Sixo’s act of grabbing a rifle signifies defiance against his oppressors, blending resistance with cultural expression.
Final Reflections
- Mister: A rooster that symbolizes impending change; Paul D's interaction with it hints at future challenges yet to come on his journey.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts from Chapter 24 of Toni Morrison's 'Beloved'. This quiz covers important vocabulary and themes that are crucial to understanding the chapter's context. Engage with the text and enhance your comprehension skills!
