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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. How does swordfighting change how Michael feels about himself?

2. Who has been trying to take the job that's waiting for Richard?

3. What is Basil concerned about, regarding his position as Crescent Chancellor?

4. What group begins a revolt?

5. How do the guests at the gathering react to Richard St. Vier's arrival?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Alec wakes Richard during the night, after Richard's meeting with Katherine?

2. What does Ginnie Vandall think of Richard's performance in the sword fight?

3. Describe what Michael overhears between Michael's casual male lover and the woman Michael has just slept with.

4. Describe the job that Richard is approached with in Chapter 8.

5. What do Richard and Alec say about the Duchess, as they watch the party?

6. What is Alec's advice to Richard about the job Richard has been offered?

7. When Basil meets with Lord Ferris, what does he ask Lord Ferris to do?

8. How does Michael respond to Applethorpe asking him to put more effort into his swordsman training?

9. Why is the idea of becoming a swordsman a joke for Michael?

10. Why are Lady Mary Halliday and Duchess Tremontaine annoyed when Lady Godwin and her son arrive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The society of the nobles is filled with secrecy and manipulation. Discuss secrecy and manipulation and their role in the novel.

1) How do the nobles manipulate each other and those around them? What are they trying to achieve through manipulation? Use examples from the book.

2) What kinds of secrets do the characters in the novel keep, both about themselves and about others?

3) How does Alec's secrecy about his past differ from the noblemens' secrecy about their plots and schemes?

Essay Topic 2

In many way, the novel is a love story about Richard and Alec. Discuss love in the novel.

1) How does Richard express his love for Alec? What does love mean to Richard?

2) How does Alec express his love for Richard? What does love mean to Alec?

3) How do the other characters express love? Is love different among different social classes? How is love viewed by society in general?

Essay Topic 3

Richard, as a swordsman, has a violent and even bloodthirsty role in the novel. Discuss violence and death in the novel.

1) How does the society look at death? How seriously does the society take death and violence?

2) What power does Richard's ability to inflict death give him? What other characters gain power through death and violence?

3) How is violence viewed differently by the different social classes in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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