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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. Who kills Ghenni'tiroth in Chapter Ten?

2. What does Jarlaxle believe about what is happening to Lolth.

3. From what does Berg'inyon think the trouble with the fence is?

4. What does Jarlaxle's visitor in Chapter Ten tell him?

5. For whom is Bruenor Battlehammer trying to find a replacement?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Firble and Belwar doing in the tunnels? What does Belwar want to do in the tunnels?

2. Why does Uthegental Armgo visit Jarlaxle?

3. What happens to Guenhwyvar when Drizzt attempts to send her back to the Astral Plane?

4. What does Matron Baenre do in a fit of rage and what is the result of her actions?

5. How does Berkthgar act during his duel with Catti-brie and what is the result of the duel?

6. How does Berkthgar respond when Drizzt and Catti-brie are explaining why they have come and what is Catti-brie's response?

7. What does Matron Baenre ask of Methil for her daughters and what happens?

8. What does Drizzt do about his panther, how does the figurine respond and what does Catti-brie do? What is the end result for the panther?

9. In Chapter Nine why does Matron Baenre hold a meeting with her children and what does she tell them?

10. What does Gromph ask Jarlaxle and what does Jarlaxle tell him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

SIEGE OF DARKNESS, like many, 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 SIEGE OF DARKNESS and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why SIEGE OF DARKNESS 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

In some ways, a novel that includes magic is full of "narrative contrivances." Discuss the following:

1. Define and offer examples of the literary device "narrative contrivance."

2. Does the fact that magic can do or undo almost anything change the way one reads a book whose world includes magic? For example, if one of your favorite characters dies in a world of magic, might there always be the expectation that somehow that character is not really dead, that magic will change the fact? How does a setting that includes magic change the reading experience?

3. Since magic can make almost anything happen (or not happen), then would a book such as Siege of Darkness not actually need to contain any narrative contrivances? Explain.

4. Why do you think people like to read books about worlds that contain magic? Do you? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

SIEGE OF DARKNESS is one book in a series of novels involving Drizzt and many other characters. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

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