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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. What happened to the judge who presided over Elma Sands' murder trial?

2. What are the Tory-Federalists also known as?

3. What evidence does Charlie find that Burr has been in Kinderhook at the time of Van Buren's conception?

4. Where is the wedding of Burr and Madame Jumel held?

5. Who is Reginald Gower?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the role that yellow fever plays in the book.

2. Describe Burr's law career according to the notes that Charlie receives from Davis.

3. Describe Helen and Charlie's family situations that they share with each other when he takes her away from the brothel for an evening.

4. Who makes up Publius and what is their purpose?

5. Describe how other nations react to early America as a new governing nation and how France's revolution impacts the US.

6. How does Burr persuade Jefferson to run for President with Burr as his Vice President?

7. When does Burr first meet James Madison, and what are the circumstances?

8. According to the notes that Burr provides to Charlie and Davis, why does Burr not receive a promotion sooner or to a higher position?

9. What does Mrs. Rosanna Townsend tell Charlie when he presses for information on his visit?

10. Why does Burr initially perceive Thomas Jefferson as an ally, and what are some of his initial observations of Jefferson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the idea of matchmaking, such as Burr getting Dolley and James Madison together, as a metaphor for political matchmaking or appointments.

Essay Topic 2

There are many familial connections throughout the novel. Write an essay defining the role of family in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explore how parallel episodes in the novel affect the story (for example, Burr and Houston's conquest of Texas/Mexico, or the court cases in the deaths of Helen Jewett and Elma Sands).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 902 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample