View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Mary Todd characterize the life her sister and brother-in-law have chosen?

2. Who is Ann Rutledge?

3. Why can't Lincoln bring himself to shoot a deer?

4. How does the weather complement Lincoln's mood when he arrives at the home of the Greens' with news of Ann's death?

5. What is happening when Lincoln enters Rutledge Tavern to deliver mail?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Lincoln appear to be emotionally stable just after he announces the death of Ann Rutledge?

2. What does Lincoln tell his friends in Act 2, Scene 4, in the discussion about his lack of political ambition and his unwillingness to speak publicly against slavery?

3. According to Act 1, Scene 3, what is the relationship of Lincoln to Nancy and Bowling Green?

4. Ninian Edwards, Lincoln's friend and brother-in-law of Mary Todd, enters with a gift and a wedding day message to Lincoln. What do the gift and the message tell the audience about Mary Todd?

5. Act 1, Scene 2 portrays Lincoln's first step toward a political destiny. The audience (or reader) knows that Lincoln will become one of the country's great Presidents. What symbols does the author use in this scene to heighten that feeling of political destiny?

6. Lincoln is reluctant to consider running for State Assembly. What is his main objection?

7. In Act 2, Scene 5, Elizabeth Edwards and her sister, Mary Todd, have a spirited discussion about Abraham Lincoln and whether he would be a good match for Mary Todd. What does their argument tell the audience about the sisters' personalities?

8. As Lincoln contemplates breaking his engagement, Josh Speeds urges him to wait until he, Lincoln, is feeling calmer. Lincoln responds that he is desperate to have the matter settled. What is Josh Speed's larger concern about Lincoln under the circumstances?

9. What is Lincoln's feeling about his career prospects as a young adult studying English in New Salem?

10. At the beginning of Act 2, Scene 5, Elizabeth Edwards is responding to a bit of news which surprises her--even though she might have seen it coming. What is the news and who brought it to her attention?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If one of the themes of the play is Lincoln's duty to serve his country, how does the playwright use symbols throughout the play to reinforce that theme?

Essay Topic 2

Mary Todd is a determined woman, according to her depiction in the play. She settles on Lincoln as a husband over the objections of her sister and even takes him back after he jilts her and is out of touch for several years. Meanwhile, his words and demeanor suggest that Lincoln might have had other motives than love in wanting to join his destiny with Mary's. After 18 years, they do not seem happily married and, when he is elected, they argue. Besides love, what were Lincoln's motives in marrying Mary Todd? What were her motives for agreeing? Was their decision to marry good or bad? Support your opinion with examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

His visit with Seth Gale in Act 2, Scene 6 has an emotional effect on Lincoln. What did the two men talk about? How did their conversation affect Lincoln?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,187 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample