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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. Where does Mr. Boldwood go after leaving his home in Chapter 54?

2. Where does Bathsheba go to visit Liddy's sister in Chapter 31?

3. What color is the lock of hair that Bathsheba sees in Troy's pocket watch in Chapter 41?

4. What is the title of Chapter 49?

5. Who writes a note to Bathsheba saying "Your husband is here. I've seen him. Who's the fool now?" in Chapter 50?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the relationship between Bathsheba and Gabriel changed at the end of the novel?

2. How does Bathsheba respond to her husband’s extended absence in the beginning of Chapter 48?

3. What act of deception does Gabriel commit in Chapter 42? Why?

4. How is Bathsheba’s behavior described in Chapter 54?

5. What promotions does Gabriel Oak receive in Chapter 49?

6. Where does Bathsheba learn the news of Troy’s drowning in Chapter 48? How does she respond?

7. Why has a petition been addressed to the Home Secretary regarding Mr. Boldwood in Chapter 55?

8. Where is Troy when he almost drowns in Chapter 47? How is he saved?

9. Where does Bathsheba encounter Mr. Boldwood in Chapter 31? How is the encounter described?

10. Describe the central conflict that occurs in the climax of the novel in Chapter 53. Who is involved in the conflict?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the settings of Weatherbury and Greenhill in the narrative. How large are each of these village/towns? What is the primary economy based on in these settings? How are the people and cultures described?

Essay Topic 2

Define the setting of "Wessex" and discuss the author's depictions of this setting in Far from the Madding Crowd. Upon what real locales are the towns and villages in the novel based? In what region of England is the story set? What is the time period of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of catastrophe, chance, and fate in Far from the Madding Crowd. How are these themes developed through character, setting, and imagery? What symbols relate to these themes? How do the themes overlap?

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