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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. Whose home is Michael brought to after he is knocked unconscious?

2. What punishment does the court give Lord Ferris?

3. What happens when Lord Ferris tries to visit the Duchess?

4. Where is Richard when he receives the message from Alec about his kidnapping?

5. Does Richard admit to killing Lord Horn at his trial?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Duchess act toward Michael?

2. How does the Duchess see her relationship with Lord Ferris?

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

4. How do Alec and Richard react to Lord Horn lying at the trial?

5. What allows Richard to win the duel in Chapter 16?

6. How does Basil Halliday react to the news of Lord Horn's death?

7. What happens at the beginning of the formal inquiry into Lord Horn's death?

8. How does Lord Horn respond to Alec?

9. After Richard leaves the Duchess's estate, what is Alec's attitude?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

One of the primary thematic ideas in the novel is social class. Discuss social class in the novel.

1) What are the social classes in the novel, and what defines them? How does society treat the members of different social classes?

2) How do the characters in the novel fit into their social classes, and what dissatisfies characters about their social classes?

3) How do the different social classes interact with each other and affect each other?

Essay Topic 3

The world of the novel is run primarily by men, leaving women as players in the background. Discuss the role of women in the novel.

1) What is the place of women in society in the novel? How is the role of women different on the Hill and in Riverside?

2) What is the Duchess's role in society like? How does she gather power in a world where men hold the power? How does she exemplify women among the nobles?

3) What is Katherine's role in society? How is her life different because she's a woman? What hazards and opportunities does her gender create?

(see the answer keys)

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