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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 does Buliwyf want Ibn to do?

2. What does Buliwyf do as the warriors near Hurot?

3. What does Herger tell Berger about when the wendol sleep?

4. What does an old man tell Ibn about Wiglif?

5. What do the dwarfs give the warriors?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Herger and Ibn think of each others' religion?

2. What does Buliwyf do as they are heading back to Rothgar's Hall and why? What does Ibn think about Herger's information?

3. What do the dwarfs give the warriors and what do they say to Buliwyf's question about a successful attack?

4. What does the dwarf soothsayer tell Buliwyf?

5. What do the Northmen do the night they visited the dwarfs, and why does Ibn decide to join with them?

6. Why does Buliwyf sit with Ibn and how does Buliwyf talk?

7. Where does Ibn awake after the battle and what does he see as he walks across the compound?

8. What does Buliwyf do the night the wendol attack after they kill the mother and how does he look?

9. What is the landscape like in the Desert of Dread?

10. What is the only time Ibn can observe the Northmen showing any emotions about the first battle with the wendol?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Eaters of the Dead". 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 Crichton chooses the symbols she 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 Crichton chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Crichton's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Crichton 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 2

Crichton discusses the differences between Ibn Fadlan's observations about the Vikings and the common European view of the Northmen. Crichton reviews the numerous ways that show the Vikings were not the barbarians Europeans made them out to be. The Viking lifestyle is surprisingly modern with a strong sense of ritual.

1. Ritual is important in most civilizations. Support or refute the following statement with supporting reasons: Low technological societies or early civilizations had more ritual than modern civilizations. Use examples from Eaters of the Dead and your own life to support your answer.

2. The Europeans had a very negative view of the Northmen which Ibn shares until he spends some time with them and actually know them. In view of this explain how the cliche "You can't tell a book by its cover," applies to the situation between the view of the European towards the Northmen and Ibn's final views of the Northmen. Use examples from Eaters of the Dead and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think rituals are important to human culture? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your own life to support your answer.

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)

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