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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. How did Curzon suggest that Isabel improve her relationship with Ruth?

2. Why did Serafina not want Isabel chopping wood?

3. How old was Aberdeen when he first came to Riverbend?

4. Who was Widow Hallahan?

5. Why did Isabel think that Curzon should not leave their camp when Ruth was sick?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Ruth call the donkey Thomas Boon?

2. Why did Isabel see when she looked at Ruth through "a stranger's eyes" (91) in Chapter XVI?

3. What did Isabel believe was the worst thing that slave owners did to slaves?

4. After Ruth had a fit, in what ways did it become obvious to her companions that she was very sick?

5. Why did Serafina think Ruth should leave with Isabel?

6. Why did Isabel and Curzon need to hide from the British soldiers?

7. Why did Isabel say to Curzon, “I know better than you what the pain of fire can do a person” (66)?

8. How did Anderson illustrate Ruth’s love of animals throughout their time at Riverbend?

9. What did Curzon mean when he said, "Lazarus is a lass" (81)?

10. What is the narrative point of view of Ashes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining how descriptions of military tactics fit into Isabel's narrative in Ashes. Describe why Anderson chose to include these sometimes detailed descriptions and the importance they play in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The other soldiers in the Rhode Island regiment are minor characters and so do not have distinct personalities, save for perhaps Henry; nonetheless they play an important role in the resolution of the novel. Write an essay that explains how these characters support both the romantic and political conflicts in Ashes.

Essay Topic 3

Any novel set during a war is obviously rife with external conflict. But characters in Ashes all experience internal conflict as well. Choose three characters from Ashes and analyze one major internal conflict, as well as one major external conflict, that each one faces. Which conflict affects each character most?

(see the answer keys)

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