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 Merivel think the King feels about him?

2. How is the person in the story cured?

3. What is the house like when Merivel arrives?

4. Does Pearce agree with Celia's portrayal of the King's feelings?

5. What age does Merivel turn at the beginning of Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Merivel's reaction to the letter about Rosie?

2. What does Merivel tell Finn when Finn asks for the favor?

3. What is Merivel's job at the palace?

4. How does Merivel get into Celia's room?

5. What does Merivel do after he leaves Celia on their wedding night?

6. What is the distinction between the Idle and the Impotent?

7. Why has Celia come to the mansion?

8. What does Merivel think of his first attempts at painting?

9. Why does Degeulasse de Gourly come to visit Merivel?

10. What does the King's court like about Merivel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in the novel do not always have an accurate perception of themselves or of others around them. Discuss the characters' perceptions of themselves and others.

1) How does Merivel perceive himself? Is his self-perception accurate? How does Merivel perceive the King over the course of the story? How does he perceive Celia? How does he perceive Pearce? What causes Merivel's perception of himself or others to change?

2) What is Katherine's perception of Merivel? Why does she have this perception? How does Merivel react to it?

3) How does Pearce perceive Merivel? How does the King's perception of Merivel differ from Pearce's?

Essay Topic 2

Love is an important element of Merivel's relationships with others. Discuss love in the novel.

1) Who does Merivel love and why? What is his love for the King based on? What is his love for Pearce based on? What is his love for Celia based on? Does Merivel truly love any of these characters?

2) Who loves Merivel, and why? What is Katherine's love for Merivel based on? What is Merivel's servant's love for him based on? Does Merivel return any of the other characters' love?

3) How does love between the characters govern their actions in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss rulership and leadership in the novel.

1) The novel centers around King Charles II. What kind of a ruler is he? What qualities make the King a good or a bad leader of his kingdom?

2) What kind of leaders are the Quakers who run the mental hospital? Are they good leaders or bad leaders? How do they make decisions for the people that they govern and care for?

3) What kind of a leader is Merivel? In what instances does Merivel take on a leadership role? Why, and who does he lead? How successful is he?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample