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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. In Chapter Four, Madelyne infuriates Gilard when she refuses to stop doing what when they are by the stream?

2. What does Edmund want to do for Adela to help her heal?

3. Why does Madelyne only look for Duncan and Gilard in the fray of battle?

4. How does Madelyne avoid being knocked from her seat on the horse by branches?

5. In her delirium, what does Madelyne tell Duncan about Louddon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Madelyne expect happens at the battle between Duncan's men and Louddon's men?

2. What is Duncan's reaction to Madelyne's actions to rescue and warm him?

3. How does a new found friendship with Madelyne transform Adela?

4. In Chapter One, how does the author support the idea that Duncan is a warrior before all else?

5. What kinds of things does Madelyne do during the enforced isolation during her recovery?

6. Madelyne promises Adela that she obtains a promise from Duncan that is slightly deceitful. What is the promise and how is it deceitful?

7. Why is Louddon shocked when he first sees Madelyne after she returns from years at the monastery?

8. Why is Madelyne repulsed at the meal in the great hall?

9. How does it happen that Adela takes her first bath in months?

10. How does the author establish Madelyne as a good person in Chapter One?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Madelyne overhears enough talk so that she believes that King William's brother Henry is becoming restless from lack of responsibility and may eventually try to overthrow William. Madelyne advises that the same situation brews between Duncan and his brothers if he doesn't find things that they can do on their own. Is there a foreshadowing of events in the Wexton family, the royal family, or both? Use the novel to provide examples of foreshadowing and explain how foreshadowing is used to build tension and interest in the story.

Essay Topic 2

During the novel, we find out that Madelyne experiences a difficult childhood and her life does not improve as long as she is under the thumb of Louddon. Yet throughout the novel, Madelyne's typical response to a difficulty is to show mercy, sometimes to a complete stranger. How and to whom does Madelyne show mercy? In particular, why does she show mercy to Duncan? How does Madelyne's merciful behavior affect Duncan and his brothers? Compare and contrast the the experience that Madelyne has with receiving mercy and giving mercy.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the novel Madelyne is pregnant, although she doesn't immediately realize it and Duncan finally breaks the news to her. Pregnancy may be symbolic for a fulfillment of the future, new experiences, self awareness, personal growth and the cycle of life. How does the novel describe Madelyne's pregnancy? Why does everyone know that Madelyne is pregnant except for Madelyne? Is there more than one reason for this, an obvious reason and a less obvious one? What does this mean about Madelyne's self-awareness? Is Madelyne a changed woman from the beginning of the novel? Is there more room for growth? Is the pregnancy seen as a reward for Madelyne and Duncan, or something else? Pick three ways in which the pregnancy is symbolic of some aspect of the change in Madelyne, or the change in the relationship between Madelyne and Duncan. Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

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