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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 does Madeline Olafson marry?

2. What is the name of Olafson's farm?

3. Who digs Olafson's grave?

4. Why do villagers laugh at Albert Laird's announcement that his cradle is for Millie Smith?

5. What do the villagers eat while taking shelter in the broch?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the things that village people buy at Isa Estquoy's shop on Norday Island?

2. What reaction does Jacob's wife, Rena, have to arriving on Norday Island?

3. What do the family and friends of Jacob Olafson do when the old man dies?

4. How are the men of the North treated when they had sailed into the Byzantium empire?

5. Why did the broch on Norday island become a ruin?

6. Why is the Battle of Bannockburn so important?

7. Why does the author call the gathering at the Norday blacksmith shop "the village parliament?"

8. What is the family situation of Matthew Ragnarson at the beginning of the book?

9. Why does Thorfinn not know what the circular ruin is that stands on the shore a mere half mile from his home?

10. In chapter four where does the school teacher, Mr. Simon, take the class?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The social order of Norday Island is strictly regulated. Thorfinn is cast, from birth, to be a crofter, as his father was before him. Write an essay on why such a system of pre-ordained roles is important for the continuation of any culture. Is Thorfinn simply a rare oddity who can't fulfill his role or is he symbolic of the "modern man" who longs to find himself outside the bounds of tradition and culture? What is the role of tradition in a small interdependent world such as Norday?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the idea of a muse, in both ancient Greek literature and here, in chapter 5. How does Sophie function as a muse? Find one example of an ancient Greek muse and compare her to that example.

Essay Topic 3

Food is a strong theme in the book. Food is a very clear way to evoke a cultural tradition. Find some examples of Brown's use of food, in both the present day Norday story and the dreams. Describe the way Brown uses food and how it is used to bring the reader into the time and place of the characters.

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