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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. Why does Wilton claim he moved to the small country village?

2. With whom does Rutledge learn in Chapter 2 the murder victim fought the night before his death?

3. Who does Helena Sommers admit she saw the morning of the murder in Chapter 4?

4. How does Wilton react when Rutledge asks if there were rivals for Lettice Wood's affection?

5. Who is Agnes Farrell?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about the death of Hamish McLeod as described in Chapter 9?

2. What skill does Rutledge fear he has lost in his experiences in the war?

3. Why does Royston tell Rutledge he once borrowed money from Colonel Harris?

4. What does Rutledge learn about Catherine Tarrant that might provide motive for her to kill Harris?

5. Why does Dr. Warren claim he felt it necessary to sedate Lettice Wood after the death of her guardian?

6. What does Rutledge find unusual about Lettice Wood's manner in Chapter 2?

7. What has happened to Hickman in Chapter 7 that angers Rutledge?

8. What does Rutledge note as odd in Wilton's behavior toward Lettice in the aftermath of Harris' murder?

9. What is Rutledge's impression of Carfield, the local vicar?

10. What does Rutledge feel is unusual about the position in which the body of Colonel Harris was found?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Mrs. Davenant? How is she related to Wilton? What did Mrs. Davenant do during the war? How does this suggest to the reader that she is in love with Wilton? Is she? What evidence does she give to Rutledge regarding Wilton's relationship with Lettice Wood? How does this give Rutledge motive on Wilton's part for murder? Is Mrs. Davenant attempting to protect or prosecute Wilton?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Mavers? Why do the people of the village immediately point to Mavers as the chief suspect in Harris' death? Why have Mavers and Harris had a falling out? What has this done to Mavers' life? is Mavers fair in his assessment of Harris? Who pays Mavers' pension? Why is everyone in the village surprised to learn this fact late in the novel? What does this say about Mavers' motive for murder?

Essay Topic 3

What is shell shock? Who experiences shell shock in this novel? What symptoms of shell shock does each character experience in the novel? What is the modern equivalent of shell shock? How does shell shock influence or take away from the investigation into Harris' murder? How has shell shock have the power to ruin the reputation of a main character of the novel?

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