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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. The First Commandment for Emigrants offers the rule to never regret one's emigration and to ___________________.

2. Who is the doctor who Ulrika recommends for Kristina?

3. Kristina learns that she will die if ______________________.

4. What is the predominant religion in the St. Croix Valley area?

5. Regarding the war, who believes that killing is wrong no matter the reason and punishment belongs to God alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Karl finally decide to enlist in the war?

2. What topic does Ulrika bring up to Karl one day which embarrasses him?

3. How does Karl's rational side emerge when Civil War breaks out in America?

4. What are the circumstances in which Karl and Kristina become intimate again?

5. What is the irony of Kristina's praying that her children are not left motherless, and the letter Karl receives from his sister?

6. What is the argument Karl and Nojd have regarding who really owns Karl's land?

7. What is the symbolism of the Astrakhan apple tree for Kristina?

8. What does Jonas Petter's admonition to Sven about moving to Meeker County foreshadow?

9. What is the major point of contention in the religious beliefs among the Swedish Lutheran settlers and Swedish revivalist, Frederick Nilsson?

10. What decision does Kristina make for herself regarding which religion to follow and how does she show independence in her relationship with God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Karl spends some alone time throughout the novel to contemplate his life. What does he think about? What conclusions does he arrive at? Explain why he is in a contemplative mood at this point in time.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of man's inhumanity to man will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of man's inhumanity to man throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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