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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Henchard hire to compete against Farfrae?
(a) Jopp.
(b) Mr. Cuxom.
(c) One of the councilmen.
(d) Elizabeth.

2. Now in Casterbridge, what does Lucetta expect from Henchard?
(a) For Michael to treat Elizabeth well.
(b) A share in his business.
(c) Courtship and marriage.
(d) Monetary compensation.

3. What surprises Elizabeth when she goes to see Henchard?
(a) Henchard's estate is too large to find him.
(b) She discovers she is Henchard's daughter.
(c) She finds out Henchard and Susan are once married.
(d) She meets Farfrae unexpectedly.

4. Where do Susan and Elizabeth Jane go for lodgings?
(a) The mayor's mansion.
(b) The King's Arms.
(c) The Three Mariners.
(d) The nearest farm.

5. Where does Susan and her daughter first see Michael Henchard?
(a) Just outside the King's Arms looking in.
(b) At the King's Arms.
(c) At the Three Mariners.
(d) At a local bakery.

Short Answer Questions

1. What consequence occurs when Henchard makes a bad corn deal?

2. What does Michael do for a living?

3. How does Susan feel about the choreographed courtship?

4. How are Susan and Elizabeth-Jane evident strangers in Casterbridge?

5. How does Henchard almost reveal to Elizabeth she is his daughter?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Henchard first learns about Donald's popularity, he cannot help but be jealous. However, he sees Donald as a genuinely good man who cares for people's feelings. What internal battle does Henchard experience concerning Donald Farfrae? How does he personally feel about Farfrae? How does this affect his natural jealousy?

2. When Henchard visits Lucetta and asks her to marry him, she looks out the window to see Farfrae's hay wagons. What earlier scene is this reminiscent of? What is its importance in the storyline?

3. Hardy makes note that the Three Mariners sign is old. However, it is not due to the owner's lack of care as it is the lack of a painter in town. What does that imply about Casterbridge?

4. When Susan is auctioned to Newson, she thinks it is binding. However, Hardy remarks that she is not the only woman to think this way. What does this say about Susan? About the times?

5. What changes are seen in the furmity woman when Susan and Elizabeth-Jane returns?

6. At first request, Michael is agreeable to let Elizabeth leave and gain independence. But when the time comes for her to leave, he gets angry and flustered at the idea. Why does Henchard react with such contradiction?

7. Henchard is quite fond of Farfrae's work. However, Farfrae views himself quite different from Henchard. What does Farfrae think of Henchard as a person? A businessman?

8. When the new farming machinery is shown in the marketplace, Lucetta and Elizabeth look at it with inquiry. Lucetta describes it as an agricultural piano and Elizabeth states that it is something to do with corn. These statements are very different, as is there personality. Compare and contrast their response to the machine and how it reflects their personality.

9. Before Michael discovers who Elizabeth's real father is, he wants her to legally change her name to Henchard. For whom does he want this? How does Michael regard Elizabeth's feelings in this matter? Is it for them as a relationship as purely for his selfish wants?

10. When the furmity woman is shown as the defendant, Henchard notices something familiar but the thought flees his mind as quickly as it comes in. How does the furmity woman represent the sale of his wife twenty years ago? How does Henchard's reaction to the furmity woman represent how he feels about the transaction?

(see the answer keys)

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