2. What plans are afoot in South Carolina in case of a Lincoln victory?
(a) Secession from the Union.
(b) A 10,000-man march on Washington.
(c) A Republican victory celebration with fireworks.
(d) Emancipation of slaves in the state.

3. How does Mary Todd describe her part in the break-up of the engagement to Lincoln?
(a) She admits her love was based on financial greed.
(b) She agrees her incessant chatter drove Lincoln crazy.
(c) She knows her lack of confidence in his ability made him sad.
(d) She acknowledges pushing him too hard to fulfill her ambitions.

4. Who is the moderator of the debate between Lincoln and Douglas?
(a) Bowling Green.
(b) Whoopi Goldberg.
(c) Elizabeth Edwards.
(d) Ninian Edwards.

5. What is the essential element Lincoln's party is seeking in a presidential candidate when they ask him to run?
(a) A willingness to raise taxes.
(b) A strong military policy.
(c) The ability to get elected.
(d) An anti-slavery attitude.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many states are there on Election Day, 1860?

2. What is the fear of those assigned to protect Lincoln on his way to Washington?

3. What are Mary's first words to Abe when he arrives after a two-year absence?

4. Why does Mary agree to the public humiliation of taking Lincoln back after two years?

5. What is Mary Todd's mood when she finds out--at the last minute--that important men are coming to talk to her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the effect on Lincoln of Gale's idealism, his vow to denounce his American citizenship if the government doesn't ban slavery?

2. In Act 3, Scene 9, Stephen Douglas says the question of equal rights for slaves has been legally settled. How was the issue settled and what was the decision?

3. In their debate, Lincoln compares Douglas to a woman watching her husband fight for his life with a bear. When asked by her husband for an encouraging word, the woman says, "Go husband. Go bear." What was Lincoln saying about Douglas in that comparison?

4. Mary Todd accepts Lincoln's return in Act 2, Scene 8 without much resistance. She extracts a promise from Lincoln that he'll never leave again, then declares her love for him and her determination "to fight by his side" until death parts them. Does Mary Todd truly love Lincoln or is she using him?

5. In Act 2, Scene 8, Lincoln apologizes for being a coward. He says he shrank from the marriage because he didn't want or believe in the destiny Mary envisions for him. Now, though, he says he wants to "strive to deserve" her faith. Does the way that Lincoln again asks her to marry him indicate that he loves her or has some other reason for marrying her?

6. In Act 3, Scene 10, which takes place in the Lincolns' home, it is clear that the Lincolns' marriage is not happy, or at the least, has problems. Thus far, the play has made clear Mary's part in creating problems. In this scene, the playwright uses a cigar to show that Lincoln isn't an innocent victim in the matter of the marriage. How does the cigar reveal one of Lincoln's faults?

7. Where is Gale taking his family as he meets with Lincoln in Act 2, Scene 7? Why is he going?

8. In Act 2, Scene 7, it has been two years since Lincoln broke off his engagement. He has been drifting since then, but has returned to New Salem in time to meet his old friend, Seth Gale. The Gale family is heading west, to Oregon. Gale has had a hard journey and now his young son is suffering from swamp fever. What does he want from Lincoln at this time?

9. As he waits for the election results, Lincoln calls the evening a "death watch." What are Lincoln's feelings about winning the election?

10. While Lincoln asserts that he submits to the will of God, he doesn't belong to any church. What are his objections to organized forms of worship?

(see the answer keys)

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