IN CLASS WORK ON CELIA

Describe the area of Calloway County, Missouri. What was the land like? What were the people like? Describe the economic and social life.

What is Newsom’s position in that social and economic structure?

          How much land does he own?

          How many slaves does he own?

(he “had invested in human chattel”)

Describe Celia’s introduction to life as a slave of Robert Newsom.

George said “he would have nothing more to do with her [Celia] if she did not quit the old man.”

Why does he say this?

Who is George?

                             Why does he assume Celia has

a choice?

How does Celia kill Newsom?

Throughout the book, when does Celia express agency, the ability to make decisions and exert some measure of power on her own and over her own body and mind?

Describe the reaction of the press, the courts, and of the Newsom family to the killing.

Interpret the quote on page 107, toward the beginning of Chapter Six:

“At this point the defense’s arguments began to threaten the very foundations of the institution of slavery. Celia, the defense insisted, even though a slave, was entitled by law to use deadly force to protect her honor.”

Interpret the quote on page 119:

“Another generally held expectation within the society was that the slaveholder be responsible for and behave morally toward his human property.”