Slavery+in+the+Clover+Bottoms+1+-+9th

= Discussion Week 2 = What is the purpose of this text? - to explain the life of a slave - to introduce the characters of the story
 * = **Day of Discussion** ||= **Date to complete reading:** ||= **Read the following pages:** ||
 * = Friday ||= 11/19 ||= 0-0 ||
 * = Tuesday ||= 11/23 ||= 1-20 ||
 * = Thursday ||= 12/2 ||= 21-40 ||
 * = Friday ||= 12/10 ||= 41-60 ||
 * = Friday ||= 12/17 ||= 61-80 ||
 * = Friday ||= 1/7 ||= 81-120 ||
 * Discussion Questions **

How do the slaves cope with their life style and their owners cruelty so far?(18) -they just deal with it, and try to be on their best behavior- family support

What are some qualities of Mac? - dedicated to detail - loyal and dedicated to Hangermen - curious about the world- "quite a philosopher as well as a keen observer"

Why do you think the author gives so much background information? - set off the story - tell who all the characters are - explain how the story goes, and make sure the audience is not confused as the book goes on (Meg Rosinski)


 * Key Word Choice and Vocab **

= Summary = The indroduction informs us about the life of Mac's owner and friend H.J. Hagerman. Hagerman worked with the military multiple times, and mac followed him everywhere to help him out. Hagerman describes Mac in great detail in the introduction, explaining Mac is "quite a philosopher as well as a keen observer." We are given Hagerman and Mac's backround, to help set up the rest of the story. Once the first chapter begins Mac's daily life is laid out for us, and we learn some about his life, and the other slaves' lives on the platation before the war started. In addition we are told about the different "over-seers", and how their additude affected the lives of the slaves. (Kevin Burke)
 * "... and his youthful adventures as a __muleteer__ and mess servant in the Civil War.." (pg9)**
 * muleteer means a driver of mules**
 * " Mac was always deeply interested in what was going on during htese strenuous days that filled my term s Governor. I always found him clippiing news papaer,-"Making history" he called it. He always seemed to maintain a very philosophic and discreet attitituted about politicds and government." (pg7)**
 * This section is taken out of the introduction to our novel. It is H.J. Hagerman talking about Mac, his servent type helper. Since Mac is the author of the story I thought this section showed a lot of good interesting qulaites of him, somthing to look for when we read his story.**
 * " The neighbors have become so __imbued__ wiht Mac's lawn technic that they have __emulated__ him, much to the advantage of the immediate vicinity." (pg7)**
 * Imbued means to inspire**
 * emulated means to try and equal**
 * So since this passage also talks about Mac's intrests I thought it was important to take note of. Remembering Mac to be a fantastic gardener.**

= Essential Quote - Charlie Cohn = "He always found life worth living, quite amusing and worth while, and is, on the whole, quite a philosopher as well as a keen observer" (9). This sentence describes Mac as whole, and that is the main theme throughout this section of reading. The reading is divided into sections. Each section describing a different characteristic of the plantation. Such detailed descriptions show that Mac is a "keen observer." Mac did find live worth living; this is shown through his gratitude and morals. For example when the tenant who looks over the slaves is replaced with a more callous man, Mac's attitude stays the same, even though he knows this man is not a good man. The reading section explains Mac's observations of the plantation and depicts Mac as a grateful man, who is a keen observer.

= Discussion Week 3 = = ﻿Discussion Questions - Charlie Cohn = Phillips decided to kill Austin because he did not like how Austin disrespected authority. When really Austin just disrespected Phillips. Also another motive for Phillips was that Austin would play a key role if the slaves were to rebel, this is due to Austin's strenth and build. The reason Phillips never whipped Austin was because Phillips was scared of him (38).
 * Why would Phillips randomly decide to kill Austin even though Phillips had never even whipped him once before? (38) **

Yes we were surprised the slaves wanted to participate in the rebellion. This is because the reader is not sure how the slaves retreived the guns. Mac does not make it clear in how they got them. Also Mac depicts Clover Bottoms to treat the slaves relatively well compared to other plantations researched. Therfore, why would the slaves want to rebel (27)?
 * Were you surprised that the slaves retrieved guns in order to participate in the John Brown rebellion?**

The slaves speak of the civil war with subtleness because they cannot fully comprehend of what a civil war would be like. The slaves do not understand how far a civil war could escalate, not to mention they did not even think it would escalte.
 * Why do you think such a big topic such as a civil war is spoken of with such subtleness?**

Cynthia was Rightfully Accused - Cynthia was the last person seen with Jordan - There was probable cause because Cynthia had a motive to kill him. This was that Jordan loved her and she did not share the same feelings towards him
 * Do you think Cynthia was rightfully accused for the murder of Jordan?**

Cynthia was not Rightuflly Accused - There is no proof that she killed Jordan - No one could ever recall of them ever fighting over anything

"She called me an __**impudent**__ rascal once, without cause or __**provocation**__."(23, paragraph 2) Impudent: insulting, rude Provocation: something that instigates, act of provoking " After he had my head clasped between his knees he unbuttoned my trousers, pulled up my shirt, and with a knee raw hide three feet long, gave me a whipping on my bare back." (23, paragraph 1) I think this quote is very descriptive and gives us a sense on how brutal and intense it was to be a slave back then. Mac seems to share every detail in this story about his life, to show the readers what he and every other slave went through. " He whipped her until blood ran in streams down her back.." (32, paragraph 2) I like the use of streams in this quote it was very good word choice to describe what happened "Vann played the fiddle with __**dexterity**__ and enthusiasm, and was assisted by Abe, with the banjo." (22, paragraph 1) dexterity: skill in using the hands or body (Meg Rosinski)
 * Key Word Choice and Vocab **

Chapter Summary We learn more about Mac's life as a child slave. We hear all kinds of stories from what Mac's job was to what when people were punished. We learned about all the different slaevs, big things that occured between them. A big thing was when the slaves heard about John Brown, and the possibilitie of Licoln coming to president. Both of these moment had big impacts on the life of slaves. (Eileen Harris)

Essential Quote "Each gave me a silver dollar, I was the happiest boy in the world." (36) This is the essential quote because the book is a narrative of Mac and in this section he describes the happiest time in his life. This shows how such a small positive action can have a big impact on a slave's life. kevin burke

=** Discussion Week 4 **=

Key Word Choice and Vocab - Charlie Cohn
Vocabulary Words

"The saw mill and __**grist**__ mill, which stood on the river a miile and half from the house. . ." (4.7) Grist: Grain to be grounded. The mill that grinds the grain from the plantation. "I was awakened next morning by many __**bugles**__ sounding reville. . ." (53). Bugle: A brass wind instrument. Reville is played in the morning, commonly in the military, The insturment playing reville was a bugle.

Key Phrases and Word Choice

"He was **exceedingly cross**, **crabbed**, and **impatient**. Judging from his manner of speaking to the sick or comlaining soldiers who came to his tent for treatment" (55). This passage is a key phrase because Mac consistently explains that the white folks are very spoiled and ungrateful. He gives many examples of them complaining about things they do want to particpate in. Mac stresses this with key words such as exceedingly cross, crabbed, and impatient. He wants to send a clear message that they do not appreciate how hard times in life are required in order to have good times.

"The night was clear, and the **moon as bright as it could be**, but **bitter cold**. As all of the wagons had heavy canvass covers, it was **very comfortable**, with plenty of good warm blankets, to sleep in them" (59). This passage is a key phrase because even though Mac is living the life as a slave, he still shows appreciation of the little things in life. An example of this is that even though it was bitter cold, Mac still explains how beautiful the bright moon was, and how he had warm blankets that made him comforatble. Mac sends the message that enduring hard times as a slave gives him appreciations for the little positive aspects of life, such as a bright moon.

Summary
A civil was has started to begin and the slaves are worried they will be drawn into it. Uncle Silas preaches about the coming war and gives the people advice on what to do. While Mac was at the pick with Nell, soldiers were marching through. They invited Mac or as the soldiers called him Johnny, to go up Norht with them and be set free. While on the trip Mac became home sick, but quickly got over it. He stayed in the camp with the rest of the soldiers and learned how to survive with them. (Meg Rosinski)

Essential Quote:
"Come on, Johnny, and go with us up North, and we will set you free."(53) This quote comes from the first page in the section during the war. Mac gets caught up in it all and we thought this was a big turning point in the story, one that will really change Mac's life. Having a regiment pass you by, looking all nice in their uniforms with their guns and all, really made an impact on Mac. It pursuaded him to join the cause.

What does Mac do when the war starts?
== When Mac sees all of the northern soldiers walking by, he lets Nell, his horse, go and Mac joins the soldiers. Mac loves the soldiers and think they are very nice. Mac starts training with a former slave who was also picked up by the soldiers. Mac wants to become a soldier. ==

How do you think the author did on his transition from social history to military history?
== It is a smooth transition and it is done very well. At the end of the chapter Mac begins to foreshadow that the war is starting and he is going to get dragged into it, and hopefully gain his freedom. ==

kevin burke
= Discussion Week 5 =

Summa ry - Charlie Cohn
Mac is just leaving Nashville. The soldiers are headed towards Shiloh. During the battle of Shiloh the soldiers are fighting the rebels in a wheat field. To scare the rebels away they charge at them with loaded weapons. The rebels flee without looking back. After the battle of Shiloh the soldiers travel to Tullahoma. It is now april and Mac has been involved in the war for a few months now. Tullahoma is a nice break for the soldiers. The participate in a lot of service work. This work includes collecting vegetables from the field and live stock, such as chickens. They also help repair the bridges and railroad that was destroyed by the rebels. The soldiers head back to Murfreesboro, Nashvilee by train. Once again back to Mac's native country. The soldiers rested for ten days in July located along the Elk river. After the short rest period, the soldiers headed towards Lookout Valley. On the way there were many fights between them and the rebels. After reaching Lookout Valley clean water was scarce, and many troops died from drinking it. Mac's good friend passes away in battle and it hurts him a great deal. Later Mac arrived in Chattanooga. Mac had a chance to explore the small busy city. He saw steam boats for the first time in his life. At the end of the reading Mac experiences meeting recruiting officers. The officers ended up being the cause of many retired soldiers reenlisting.

** ﻿Disscussion Questions- Eileen Harris **
Mac doesn't like the idea of havnig to kill people to be a solider, but he is pursuaded into being one because of his love for America. He is told to lay down his life for his county and his love for God. (64) After being a solider for a long time he began to see how much he owed to the country that clothed and fed him through the war. (65)
 * **How does Mac feel about being a solider and having to kill people?**

People come looking for Mac, his brother Jeff comes to find him and bring him home. Jeff ran away, searching all over trying to find his brother. But they seperate again, everyone has new lives and are all trying to survive on their own without their masters.(78)
 * **How did the other recruits and the other slaves they passed by effect Mac?****﻿**

Most of them respected mac, just as another solider. They knew he was a good hard worker, and eventually get high enough to gain wages, (88). But other whites, like the Lieutenant don't see Mac as an equal. They treat him harshly and even punish him with whippings. (89-90)
 * **How did the whites in the army feel about Mac?**

**Essential Quote**: -Meg Rosinski
" Now then, being an American citizen, your first duty is to your God, and your country; and you may have to lay down your life in defense of it. What do you suppose we have been drilling for?" (64). We chose this quote because it shows how Mac is being treated as an American citizen and getting along with the other soldiers. They are fighting for their country and their duty to serve God. Everyone is fighting for the abolishment of slavery.

=Word Choice and Vocab= "...making an enormous train which stretched for miles along the __**pike**__."(61) __**pike**__: a toll or highway

"...carrying in one hand on a plate, a fine roll of nice yellow butter, and in the other a can of milk. This was indeed a luxury."(61) This is a key passage because it shows that even though Mac is not enslaved anymore, he still gets excited and happy over very little things. That because slaves are deprived for so much of their life that it continues to affect them, after they become free.

"Aron's remarkable influence had made a deep and lasting impression upon me:and, feeling greatly encouraged, I made up my mind to do my duty as I saw it."(65) This passage is important because before it Mac is reconsidering his decision with wanting to become a soldier, and he thinks he wants to leave the army. But after Aron and Colonel Shumaker explain to him why it is honorably to fight for your country he decides to stay in.