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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What gift does Sergeant Troy attempt to give to Bathsheba when he woos her in Chapter 26?

2. What does Sergeant Troy take with him as a token of remembrance of Bathsheba after his sword demonstration in Chapter 28?

3. The narrator describes Bathsheba in Chapter 19 as "An Elizabethan in brain and" whom in spirit?

4. How many sheep has Gabriel Oak stocked his farm with in the past year, according to the narrator in Chapter 2?

5. What tormented figure from Greek mythology is alluded to by the author in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom does Gabriel encounter as he makes his way into Weatherbury in Chapter 7? What does this encounter foreshadow?

2. What is Henery Fray’s opinion on Bathsheba’s courtship by Mr. Boldwood in Chapter 22?

3. Where does Bathsheba encounter Sergeant Troy in Chapter 26? How is the meeting described?

4. Who comes to inquire about word of Fanny Robin at the Everdene Farm in Chapter 9? What is related of this character?

5. What sexual innuendos can be seen in Chapter 28?

6. What leads Mr. Boldwood to follow Gabriel Oak in Chapter 14?

7. Who sends Gabriel a letter in Chapter 15? What is revealed in the letter?

8. How would you describe the narrative style of the novel? From whose perspective is the story related?

9. What is Gabriel Oak’s social station and class when his character is first introduced? What is Gabriel’s occupation?

10. What information does Gabriel glean of Fanny Robin at Warren’s Malthouse in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the consequences of Bathsheba sending a Valentine's Day card to Mr. Boldwood in the narrative. How does Mr. Boldwood respond to the forward token of affection? What actions does he take? Does Bathsheba regret sending the card? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the social class system of Victorian England and the systems of class seen in Far from the Madding Crowd. How does social class differ in rural England from the cities? How do the characters in the story manage to change their places within this system?

Essay Topic 3

How common was it in the 1870s for women in rural England to own and manage farms without male oversight? Why do you think that Bathsheba's actions in the story go uncontested? In what ways does Bathsheba represent a feminist literary figure?

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