2. What does Jack tell Harry about where they should go, what does Harry see when she is sleeping and what does she see in the fire when she wakes up?

3. What does Harry do as Corlath and the army are leaving Luthe's and what does Luthe say to her?

4. What does Kentarre say to Harry when Harry is getting ready to join Corlath and what does the rest of the group do about Harry leaving?

5. What does Harry do about the wounded in Corlath's camp?

6. What do Harry's group and the men with Jack do after they eat breakfast and what does Jack think about where they are going and what is Senay's response to his concern?

7. What does Corlath say to Harry when she returns to his camp and what is her response?

8. What happens to Harry as her group retreat from the Northern army?

9. Where are Harry, Senay, and Terim going at the beginning of Chapter 13, why are they going there and what is Harry carrying?

10. What does Harry do the first night in Luthe's hall, what does she want to know and what does he ask her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Blue Sword" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Blue Sword" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Blue Sword". Questions that McKinley most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the McKinley' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss McKinley' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of McKinley and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "The Blue Sword", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. there are woods, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "The Blue Sword" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in the book.

2. Define the words as used in "The Blue Sword" world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "The Blue Sword". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in "The Blue Sword"? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "The Blue Sword"? Which ones?

(see the answer keys)

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