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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What makes Susan uncomfortable about her relationship with Newson?
(a) Because Elizabeth Jane is not his daughter.
(b) Newson is a drunkard.
(c) Newson is always at sea.
(d) She discovers her marriage is not binding.

2. Now in Casterbridge, what does Lucetta expect from Henchard?
(a) A share in his business.
(b) Courtship and marriage.
(c) Monetary compensation.
(d) For Michael to treat Elizabeth well.

3. What are Farfrae's plans when he arrives in Casterbridge?
(a) To move on to Bristol and then to America.
(b) To apply for the manager's position with the mayor.
(c) To sell his wheat processing invention.
(d) To spread the word of how lovely his country is to the world.

4. What change is observed in Michael's behavior toward Donald when Donald becomes more popular?
(a) It becomes all business with no extraneous friendship.
(b) Michael follows Donald everywhere to keep an eye on him.
(c) Henchard becomes even more overbearing of a friend so Farfrae likes him the best.
(d) Michael is short-tempered with Donald at all times.

5. What is Abel's punishment for being chronically late?
(a) Lashings.
(b) He is to sleep in Henchard's barn.
(c) He is laid off.
(d) Going through town without breeches.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Donald set up his new business?

2. What is Henchard's impression of the new machinery?

3. How do Susan and Elizabeth pay for their lodgings, despite their little income?

4. At the scene of the wagon crash, when Henchard's man says the word of Lucetta and Elizabeth Jane are not to be accounted for because all women swoon for Donald, Henchard __________.

5. What surprises Elizabeth when she goes to see Henchard?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Susan begins her search for Michael, Hardy refers her as Mrs. Newson, for that is what she calls herself. However, in chapter nine, Hardy calls her Mrs. Henchard again for the first time. Why does Hardy return to her first marriage name? How does Susan feel about her role and position at this point?

2. Donald Farfrae is a stranger in Casterbridge, yet he decides to help Henchard. This is not a common act between strangers as seen by Henchard's surprise. What does this say about Farfrae's character? Does he really want something or is he really acting as a good Samaritan?

3. At first request, Michael is agreeable to let Elizabeth leave and gain independence. But when the time comes for her to leave, he gets angry and flustered at the idea. Why does Henchard react with such contradiction?

4. Henchard is a man of wealth and status in Casterbridge, yet he is lonely in friendship as well as marriage. As soon as he meets Farfrae, he is intrigued. Not only does he look to Farfrae as a business manager, but also as a friend. What benefits and dangers does Henchard risk in befriending Farfrae so early on with such sensitive confessions?

5. When the furmity woman is shown as the defendant, Henchard notices something familiar but the thought flees his mind as quickly as it comes in. How does the furmity woman represent the sale of his wife twenty years ago? How does Henchard's reaction to the furmity woman represent how he feels about the transaction?

6. When Henchard writes a note to Susan, he also gives five guineas in return. What does Henchard hope to portray in this gift? How does Susan react to the money when she sees it?

7. When Henchard visits Lucetta and asks her to marry him, she looks out the window to see Farfrae's hay wagons. What earlier scene is this reminiscent of? What is its importance in the storyline?

8. Abel Whittle is chronically late and with many warnings, he continues to be late. Fed up, Henchard heads to Abel's house and makes him get to the granary without breeches on. Farfrae argues that the joke goes too far and Abel should get him and dress. Henchard contends that it is to teach Abel a lesson and that this is no joke. When Henchard sells Susan to Newson, it too starts off as a joke. Henchard and all present blames the rum. Compare the two situations and Henchard's character. How much of the rum is to blame for the joke getting out of hand? If Farfrae is not there to stop the punishment, does Henchard continue on with the lesson?

9. Elizabeth mentions "respectability" several times. Despite a plain dress and a modest upbringing, she is very conscientious of being respectable. How does this regard to respectability portray her desires? What kind of life does Elizabeth seek?

10. When Henchard first learns about Donald's popularity, he cannot help but be jealous. However, he sees Donald as a genuinely good man who cares for people's feelings. What internal battle does Henchard experience concerning Donald Farfrae? How does he personally feel about Farfrae? How does this affect his natural jealousy?

(see the answer keys)

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