THE ORDEAL AT MT. HOPE
1. This story contains three characters who are typical of many colored people, and as such are worth study. Howard Dokesbury is the educated colored man of the North. What are the chief traits of this character?
2. Aunt Caroline is the old-fashioned darky who suggests slavery days. What are her chief characteristics?
3. 'Lias is the new generation of the Southern negro of the towns. What are his characteristics?
4. Is the colored American given the same rights as others? Read carefully the opening paragraph of the story.
5. What were the weaknesses of the colored people of Mt. Hope? How far are they true of the race? How were they overcome in this case?
6. There are two theories about the proper solution of what is called "The Negro Problem." One is, that the hope of the race lies in industrial training; the other theory, that they should have higher intellectual training, so as to develope great leaders. Which theory do you think Dunbar held? Why do you think so?
7. Other stories dealing with the life of the colored people are: Free Joe, and Tales of the Home Folks, by Joel Chandler Harris; Polished Ebony, by Octavius R. Cohen; Aunt Amity's Silver Wedding, by Ruth McEnery Stuart; In Ole Virginia, by Thomas Nelson Page.