“A Letter to His Former Master”-Jordon Anderson, former servant of Colonel Patrick Henry Anderson

1. Why do you suppose Col. P.H. Anderson was firing a gun at Jordon?

2. Calculate the wages of Jordon and his wife, Mandy. Ignore the interest and expenses, and just deal with the wages of $11,680. Due to inflation, $1 in 1865 would be worth $27.30 today. In today’s dollar, how much money would Col. Anderson owe to Jordon and Mandy?

Does this figure seem reasonable? High? Low?

Explain.

3. Do you think Jordon had any real expectations of receiving the debt from Col. Anderson?

Why or why not?

4. Jordon suggests that, if he is not paid for his labor, Col. Anderson will be punished by God. Find this line and copy it below.

What effect do you think this line had on Col. Anderson?

5. Aside from the evils of slavery and attempted murder, what other troubling crime does Jordon allude to toward the end of the letter?

What do you suppose happened to the victims and the attackers?

6. How would you describe Jordon’s tone?

In what way(s) is his tone appropriate or not appropriate for his audience and message?

Would anger and name-calling have been more effective? Why or why not?

7. In the explainer note, we learn that Jordon’s letter bounced around social media in 2012. Why would so many people still be interested in this letter today?

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Multiple Choice

1. Which word best describes the author of the passage?

A. calculated B. boastful C. humorous D. stubborn

2. Which of the following best describes the former relationship between Jordon and Col. Anderson?

A. best friends from the Civil War B. father and sonC. employer and employee D. officer and lieutenant

3. Which sentence from the passage best represents the author’s distrust of Col. Anderson?

A. “I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me.”B. “I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jordan...”C. “If you fail to pay us for our labors, we can have little faith in your promises.”D. “...and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.”

4. Which universal theme is most reflected in this passage?

A. Good things come to those who wait.B. What goes around comes around.C. Birds of a feather flock together.D. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

5. How does the author’s style contribute to the tone of the passage?

A. The author’s use of figurative language creates a determined tone.B. The author’s use of negative language creates a bitter tone.C. The author’s use of positive language creates a humorous tone.D. The author’s use of sarcasm creates a cynical tone.

6. The author’s tone creates what kind of mood for the reader?

A. a mood of support B. a mood of angerC. a mood of sadness D. a mood of lonliness

7. What is the effect of the following sentence: “Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me”?

A. It clarifies to the reader that there is no way Jordon will return to work for Col. Anderson.B. It implies that Jordon has forgiven Col. Anderson and has moved on with his life.C. It emphasizes the love Jordon has for George Carter.D. It suggests Jordon wishes he would have shot Col. Anderson.

8. With which of the following sentences from the passage contains an opinion?

A. “Here I draw my wages every Saturday night...”B. “I would have gone to see you all...but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to

shoot me...”C. “I got your letter, and was glad to find that you...wanted me to come back...”D. “...but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson.”

9. Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose for writing the passage?

A. To persuade his former employer his labor is worth a raise in pay.B. To entertain the reader with an enjoyable story.C. To taunt the reader’s arrogance for thinking he would return to his former position.D. To inform the reader of his new and better life.

10. Which of the following words could best replace the word defraud in the sentence, “Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire”?

A. money B. cheat C. provide D. feed