Caleb's Crossing

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Writing From Another Perspective”

In this activity, students will use creative writing to explore the importance of perspective.

The importance of perspective is a recurring idea throughout the novel as the narrator, Bethia Mayfield, often reflects on the perspectives of other groups and characters in her story. In this activity, try rewriting a scene or episode from the novel through the eyes of one of the other characters; for example, you can choose to write from the perspective of Bethia’s father, Makepeace, Joel, Samuel, or Caleb. As you write this short account, consider the following:

• What are the most significant elements of the scene, and what components of the scene would be perceived by and important to your chosen character?
• What point of view are you using (first-person or third-person limited)?
• How might your character interpret this scene’s significance differently from Bethia?
• How is your character’s perspective shaped by the cultural, social, or religious ideas of their time and/or community?

Share a summary of your scene with peers and read a brief excerpt. What new ideas come from others’ studies in changing perspectives? How is the novel itself a study in perspective?

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to approach their characters with sympathy. Though some of the characters of the novel, such as Makepeace, are represented mostly negatively, students might want to pick these characters for their assignment precisely in order to explore a different perspective (notwithstanding whether or not they agree with that perspective). This activity may spark conversation on the importance of embracing multiple perspectives, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as gender and race.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Caleb’s Crossing features a motif of marriage, including the marriage between Bethia’s parents, between Bethia and Samuel, and between Joel and Anne.

• What is the role of marriage and spousal relationships in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Compare and contrast the different marriages that feature in the novel in 3 points, analyzing the different motivations and ideas about spousal relationships represented by these marriages. Your analytical points should support your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, reflect on what makes a marriage more successful or less successful in the novel.

2. Bethia experiences servitude when she allows herself to become indentured to Master Corlett.

• How are power and control represented in the novel? (topic sentence)
• In your supporting points, consider the role of servitude in the novel; explore how different characters view indentureship; and point out connections between individuals’ power and their control over others.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the effect of servitude on Bethia and her relationships.

3. In the novel, Caleb and Joel represent an attempt to reconcile Indigenous and European cultures.

• How well do Caleb and Joel navigate their Indigenous and European cultures? (topic sentence)
• Analyze the way Caleb and Joel try to reconcile their two cultures, citing specific examples from the text in support of your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate whether anyone in the world of the novel would be able to live successfully in multiple cultures.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Early in the novel, Bethia writes that “[l]istening, not speaking, has been my way. I have become most proficient in it. My mother taught me the use of silence” (Part 1, Chapter 1). What does Bethia mean by this? Why is listening so important and useful? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, discuss the extent to which Bethia’s proficiency at listening arises from contemporary gender norms. What are some of the limitations and/or disadvantages of utilizing listening as Bethia does?

2. Reflect on the character of Tequamuck. Do you think that he should be interpreted as a villain, a hero, or as a more ambivalent figure? Is he wrong to cut ties with Caleb? How do you interpret his prophecy? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, analyze and discuss what Tequamuck symbolizes in the world of the novel. Support your points of analysis with details and text evidence.

3. Consider the novel’s title, Caleb’s Crossing. What is the “crossing” that Caleb makes, and why is it so notable? Are there other characters in the novel who make crossings like Caleb? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, explore the significance of this title based on plot events, character choices, and other story elements. Connect at least one point of analysis to one of the novel’s themes.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why does Bethia say Caleb is “stretched like the rope in a tug o’ war” (Chapter 1)?

A) He is torn between his love for two different women.

B) He is competitive when it comes to sport.

C) He is very tall but lanky and physically weak.

D) He is pulled between European and Indigenous society.

2. Who is Iacoomis?

A) Bethia’s father’s first Indigenous convert

B) A powerful sonquem

C) One of the Mayfield servants

D) Caleb’s best friend

3. Why is Bethia’s father angry when he finds out she has been studying and reading?

A) Bethia’s father believes she should be focusing on her domestic duties.

B) Bethia’s father thinks she is not learning quickly enough.

C) Bethia’s father realizes she is missing time in prayer.

D) Bethia’s father wants her help in converting the Indigenous people.

4. How is Tequamuck related to Caleb?

A) Tequamuck is Caleb’s father.

B) Tequamuck is Caleb’s best friend.

C) Tequamuck is Caleb’s uncle.

D) Tequamuck is Caleb’s brother.

5. Why does Bethia regard paper as such a valuable resource?

A) Women are not allowed free access to paper.

B) Paper is rarely used in the colonies.

C) Her father considers the use of paper sinful.

D) Few people can afford the extreme expense of paper.

6. Why does Bethia’s father believe that educating Caleb could be a risk?

A) The settlers may argue over who should educate Caleb.

B) Educating Caleb might anger some of the other settlers.

C) The settlers will worry that Caleb might try to harm them somehow.

D) Caleb’s family might try to get him back to avoid a Christian education.

7. How does Solace die?

A) She contracts a high fever from measles.

B) She dies during a smallpox epidemic.

C) She drowns in a recently constructed well.

D) She dies in her sleep, without a known cause.

8. Why does Bethia’s father sail to England?

A) To raise money for his missionary work

B) To visit his family and former students

C) To stand trial for his crimes

D) To escape his enemies

9. Whom does Makepeace hold responsible for his father’s death?

A) God

B) Himself

C) Bethia

D) Tequamuck

10. How does Bethia react when she learns Makepeace is planning to accept Noah Merry’s petition for Bethia’s hand in marriage?

A) With disappointment

B) With ambivalence

C) With joy

D) With anger

11. Whom does Corlett suspect of impregnating Anne?

A) The governor

B) Caleb or Joel

C) Samuel

D) Makepeace

12. Why is Samuel so attracted to Bethia?

A) Because of her beauty

B) Because of her intelligence

C) Because of her humility

D) Because of her domestic skills

13. Why is Bethia worried about Caleb when he prepares to enroll at Harvard?

A) Caleb is not prepared for the entrance exam.

B) Caleb’s English is poor.

C) Caleb is very lean.

D) Caleb is very sad.

14. Who becomes Joel and Caleb’s tutor when their tutor is fired?

A) Bethia

B) Chauncy

C) Makepeace

D) Samuel

15. What does Tequamuck prophesy to Bethia?

A) That the Europeans will be defeated

B) That the Christian God will destroy his people and their gods

C) That Caleb will recover from his illness

D) That the world is about to end

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How is Bethia’s father affected by Solace’s death?

2. Why does Caleb suffer so much at Harvard?