Behind the Scenes: Elizabeth Keckley

What was one positive thing, or the "bright side", about slavery that Keckley points out in Chapter 1?

• She learned to be self reliant.

• She was strong from all the work she had to do.

• She learned to not be sad all the time because she would get in trouble for it.

• She didn't have to pay bills because her owners took care of her.

Why did Keckley omit, or leave out, some of the events that happened in her life?

• Some were too embarrassing.

• She couldn't remember them all.

• She only wrote about the most important events.

• Some were too sad to try and remember.

What is light, sunshine, and brightness all a symbol for in Keckley's writing?

• Evil

• Goodness or hope

• A bad situation

• An event that guides her life

What does it mean in her writing when there is an absence of light?

• Sadness or a lack of hope

• Goodness

• It is night time

• She is running from slavery

As a slave, how does Keckley view the idea of death?

• Scary and unknown

• a hope for freedom

• Something to avoid

• Something all people have in common

What is the FIRST claim Keckley makes about slavery?

• It is wrong.

• She isn't rebelling against it.

• She thinks it's all God's fault.

• She doesn't blame her Southern friends for its creation.

What is the SECOND claim Keckley makes about slavery?

• She doesn't blame her southern friends.

• She isn't going to rebel.

• Slavery is wrong and it's normal to rebel against it.

• Slavery is ok if the owners are nice.

What was Keckley's first job as a slave?

• Taking care of a baby

• Making dresses

• Working in the fields

• Cooking

Keckley uses a simile to describe the first time she saw a human being sold. She said he was sold _______

• as quick as lightening

• like the hogs

• like a ham on Christmas

• as fast as a rushing current

Where did Keckley live?

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Arkansas

• Virginia