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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 are the councilmen and Farfrae's plans for Henchard?

2. When Michael gets sick, who is there to nurse him to health?

3. How does Henchard show that he now thinks of Elizabeth above himself?

4. How does Michael prepare for his fight with Donald?

5. Who is the first to aid Lucetta?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the relationship between the classes. How are they related to one another? Does one depend on the other? Are they co-dependent? Do they interact with one another? If so, how? What is different between the two classes? Can one move between the classes? How so? Who is an example?

2. What is the significance of Psalm 109? Why does the band refuse to play such a song? What is the irony in the lyrics?

3. Michael sees his effigy in the river and begins to lose any composure he has left. What is Michael thinking when he realizes what the image is?

4. When Henchard arrives at Farfrae's home, he has every intention to read Lucetta's letters to Donald and reveal the author. However, he does not. He reads the letters, but stops himself from telling anymore. Why doesn't Henchard go through with his plan?

5. In chapter 32, what is becoming apparent of Elizabeth Jane? How is she changing? Is she the same person as when she lives with Henchard years before?

6. Henchard reads Lucetta's letters aloud to Farfrae. Although the author is unknown to Farfrae, what do the letters say about the woman who writes them?

7. Although Farfrae buys Henchard's house and furniture in good faith, and offers him a room and job to help him. Describe what it feels like for Michael.

8. When Henchard and Lucetta meet at the Ring, Henchard is agreeable. Lucetta plans for that night to get what she wants. How does this meeting show Lucetta's power of persuasion?

9. How is the public treating Henchard and Donald after the Royal Personage passes through town? How is this different from earlier times? What does this say about the public?

10. Donald's singing affects Henchard before he is able to challenge the Scotchman. Why does a song affect him? What is the importance of the particular song?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Michael's progression from a bull to a goldfinch. How does Michael resemble a raging bull? A caged goldfinch? What creates this progression? Why does Hardy use these animals in particular?

Essay Topic 2

Hardy takes the time to develop the significance of the two bridges over several pages. It is distinct in character between the brick bridge and the stone bridge, in the persons that visit, as well as the bridges themselves. Compare and contrast the two bridges. Discuss the significance of class distinction in Casterbridge and how it relates to the bridges.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 25, Michael tells Lucetta, "But it is not by what it is, in this life, but by what appears, that you are judged..." It is evident that Michael lives with a lot of deceit and follows his own advice. Do you agree? Do you disagree? How is his life judged? Do you think the truth ever catches up to the facade?

(see the answer keys)

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