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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 is discovered about Birle's engagement to Muir?

2. What does Birle carry for the Lord as they begin their journey?

3. What causes the Lord to feel embarrassed in Chapter 3?

4. The fact that the man who has stolen the boat has no beard lets Birle realize that he holds what position in society?

5. What does the Lord tell Birle about the life of a wife of a huntsman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Orien pretend to be like Ker and Torson when the brothers begin to look at Birle as a woman?

2. Describe Ker and Torson's treatment of Orien and Birle.

3. Up until Chapter 6, Birle has more or less played the man's role in catching fish, rowing the boat, and even saving the Lord by slitting a dog's throat. But in this chapter, how does the Lord finally portray traits that are deemed "manly" by society?

4. How could the initial encounter between Birle and the thief be described?

5. Describe how Birle is treated by the middling man.

6. What leads Birle to suspect that perhaps the Lord might have committed a wrongdoing against another Lord?

7. Joaquim and Corbel are brothers, yet they are vastly different. Briefly describe their differences and mention why Corbel keeps Joaquim around.

8. Where should Birle be in the beginning of Chapter 1 instead of where she is, and why is she not there?

9. What are some speculations Birle makes about why the Lord is running away from home?

10. What drives Birle to suggest that she travel with the Lord, and what compels him to agree?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

We meet Gladaegal as we near the end of the novel. Compare and contrast Gladaegal and Orien. How is their relationship with one another? Who might make a better Earl, and why?

Essay Topic 2

Both Birle and Orien are runaways, but both have different reasons for running away. What are Birle's reasons? What are Orien's reasons? Are their reasons valid for running away? Take a look at all that has happened to them because they chose to run away. Could it all have been avoided if they remained where they were? If they had not run away, what might have become of them?

Essay Topic 3

Birle has an interesting relationship with Nan. Describe who Nan is and how she is related to Birle. What does Birle feel for Nan given their relationship? How does she feel about her in the beginning of the book compared to the end? Throughout the novel, Nan is mentioned or thought of by Birle. Are these thoughts positive or negative? Why is Birle thinking about Nan and what does she owe to Nan? Discuss their relationship and how it has affected Birle's person. Use examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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