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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. Why does Lostris disapprove of Memnon's marriage to Masara?
2. How does Taita remove the arrow from Pharaoh's chest?
3. How does Taita escape from Arkoun?
4. Where does the Shepherd King shoot his first arrow as the battle begins?
5. Following the battle with the Hyksos, what did Tanus do that caused him great grief?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does the love between Memnon and Masara mirror the love between Tanus and Lostris? How is it different?
2. How do the Egyptian ships navigate through the cataracts? How is this a testimony to their technological skill, especially because of Taita?
3. What is the attitude of the Hyksos as they face the Egyptians in battle? What do you think is the reason for this arrogance? What has led them this far west?
4. Both Tanus and Taita are struck with longing for Ethiopians possessions: the blue sword and the horses, respectively. How do these passion signal deep trouble in the future? How do these desires change the men's thinking?
5. How does Lostris deal with Lord Aqer's disgruntlement? Including previous instances of dissatisfied people, what does this say about her leadership? Is she well suited to lead the Egyptian people?
6. What is the bittersweet ending to Tanus's life? Why does he never tell Memnon the truth of his paternity? Do you think Tanus dies in peace?
7. At age five, how does Memnon begin to assert himself? How does Smith draw out the contradictions between his age and his social position? What does Memnon's attitude predict for the future?
8. Why will so few people ride astride a horse? (Throughout the novel, only Hui, Taita, and Memnon dare this.) What reaction do they get when people see them astride the horses? Why do you think they get this reaction?
9. What happens when the Nile floods? How does this event bring together science and religious observation? How is it also an opportunity for vice, particularly greed?
10. Why does Queen Lostris demand an elaborate tomb for her husband? What does this say about her loyalty to Pharaoh and does it contradict her order that Egyptians would not make their home in the land of Cush?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
When Lostris thinks she is pregnant for the fourth time, what is the truth? How does this short scene illustrate the understanding she and Taita have with each other?
Essay Topic 2
What role does Rasfer play in the novel? To what extent is he the obvious incarnation of Lord Intef's evil thoughts? What is Rasfer's role in Taita's life? Does Taita, in the end, forgive him?
Essay Topic 3
Twice Taita wishes that he could retract the evil he had spoken: Lostris's marriage and the coming of the Hyksos. How effective is this as a literary technique? Does it build suspense for the reader or diminish it? How does it change the reader's expectations for what happens next in the novel?
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This section contains 2,126 words (approx. 8 pages at 300 words per page) |
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