Henry Box Brown

Why does Henry's family disappear?

• Because Henry's owner made him work long hours at the factory

• Because Henry forgot to pay Nancy's owner

• Because Mr. Cottrell wanted more money

• Because Nancy escaped to the North

What is the best substitution for the word VEXED at the end of the second scene?

• happy or jubilant

• troubled or angry

• confused

• well-off

Why did the author have passenger #1 complain about having no place to sit?

• to show that white passengers could be just as uncomfortable as slaves

• to show that steamships weren't a very good place to travel

• to contrast how uncomfortable Henry was inside the box compared to the regular passengers

• so that the character would want to sit on the crate

Box Brown uses "dark" words like grave, coffin and destruction to describe the crate and his time inside it. Why?

• to show how his trip was a death-defying experience

• to describe what it was like to die inside the crate

• to express what it was like to be without his family

• to show what slavery was really like

What evidence is there that Passenger #1 has a good nose for sniffing out a story?

• That he's wealthy enough to ride a steamer.

• That he's going to NY to become a reporter.

• That he knew all about what was in the box.

• None. There is no such evidence.

What was the storekeeper implying when he said to Henry, "You're not afraid to tell me that?"

• That complaining about one's owner was dangerous for slaves.

• That the storekeeper might report Henry's complaints.

• That Henry trusted the storekeeper.

• All of the above.

How does Driver number 2 unknowingly save Henry's life?

• He gives Henry some extra food and water.

• He makes sure the crate is handled gently.

• He points out that the crate is labeled fragile.

• He points out that this is an express package and insists the trainman load the crate immediately.

According to this play, what did Henry do after escaping slavery?

• He went in search of his family.

• He got a new job in a factory up north.

• He fled to England to escape slave catchers.

• He became an antislavery crusader by traveling and speaking out against slavery.