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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. When Ferris and Lord Horn speak privately, what does Ferris tell Lord Horn?

2. Whose house does Alec go to?

3. Where has Michael been hiding out?

4. What entertainment does Alec prod Richard into coming to, in Chapter 14?

5. Who did the Duchess hire to challenge the Duke of Karleigh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ginnie's reaction to the death of Lord Horn's swordsmen?

2. What does Alec give to the Duchess?

3. For what reason does Richard claim he killed Lord Horn?

4. Where does Richard meet Katherine after the trial?

5. Describe the game played at the Duchess's party in Chapter 19.

6. What does Richard think of the performance he and Alec go to?

7. What is Richard and Alec's last night together like?

8. Describe the Duchess and Michael's first night as lovers.

9. What does Richard say about the death of Lord Horn's swordsmen?

10. How does the Duchess act toward Michael?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The nobility in the novel is very concerned with appearances and fashion. Discuss the role of appearances and fashion in the novel.

1) How is the nobility obsessed with appearance? How does appearance affect social status?

2) Why doe Richard get a new suit to go to the theater? What is his perception of this suit, and what role does it play in the culture he is moving in?

3) What does the nobility's obsession with appearance and fashion say about their values?

Essay Topic 2

Several of the characters in the novel take self-destructive action. Discuss self-destruction in the novel.

1) Why is Alec self-destructive? How does Richard respond to his self-destructive tendencies?

2) In what ways is Richard self-destructive? How does he put himself in harm's way?

3) What other characters are self-destructive? How do they harm themselves through their actions or inactions?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss rulership and leadership in the novel, where the nobility in the upper class has complete control over rulership of the country.

1) How do the nobles view rulership? What does the position of leader mean to the leadership themselves?

2) How does Basil view rulership? What is his goal as a leader, and the closest thing the society has to a king?

3) What qualities make a good leader in the novel? What qualities make a bad leader? Explain with examples of both good and bad leaders from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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