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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 Bethia take on a position as housekeeper in another college?

2. What does Makepeace think is the cause of his father's death?

3. To whom is one of the students related?

4. About what do Bethia and Makepeace argue?

5. What does Makepeace think Bethia feels about Caleb?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bethia say about her marriage to Samuel and their trip to Italy?

2. How do Caleb and Joel do on their entrance exams?

3. Why does Bethia tell Caleb to stop calling her Storm Eyes?

4. Why are arrangements made for Joel to return to Cambridge before the others from the island?

5. What does Bethia say about Caleb and Joel regarding their studies?

6. What does Samuel confess to Bethia?

7. Describe a little about Anne's life.

8. Why is Bethia relieved when they board a vesself for Cambridge, and how is her first day there?

9. What does Bethia say about the change in attitude towards Caleb and Joel by the other students?

10. Why is Caleb still disturbed about the situation with Anne and what does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The situation of Bethia agreeing to become an indentured servant is a narrative opportunity for the author to explore one of the work's key themes, the relationship between sin, redemption and rebirth. Bethia continually and repeatedly strives to redeem herself for what she sees as her sinful choices and feelings, but over the course of the narrative, seems less and less inclined to believe that what she actually has done is a sin.

1. Discuss the ways in which Bethia's belief about sin changes from when she is a girl to when she is an older woman. Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

2. Do you think that Bethia's need to redeem herself is a pathological response induced by a harsh religion? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

3. How do you think changing her views on sin might change Bethia's life? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Caleb's Crossing. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brooks chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brooks chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Brooks's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Brooks use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,166 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample