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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 Silenus not move during the battle?

2. When does Edmund ask Duncan to hold down Madelyne?

3. How long does Madelyne sleep after Edmund sews up her wound?

4. According to Chapter 10, what does Madelyne take to the stables each afternoon?

5. How long does the torturous ride from Louddon's castle last?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the squire with the bright yellow hair described?

2. Why does Duncan decide to allow the battle to take place before they reach his castle?

3. Why does Duncan believe that Madelyne has a temper and a passionate nature?

4. Why is Maude afraid of Madelyne at first?

5. Why does Duncan lie to Madelyne about how much time he spends with her while she is sick with fever?

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

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

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

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

10. Who or what are some of the people or beings who appear in Madelyne's dreams while she is sick with fever?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Madelyne hesitates over saying, "I do" when she is forced to marry Duncan. Gilard takes a step forward and Madelyne quickly says her vows in an effort to prevent the brothers from fighting. Madelyne has a tendency to sacrifice herself in an effort to protect other people. Discuss all the ways in which Madelyne sacrifices herself or her best interest since the beginning of the novel. Are these sacrifices worthwhile, self-serving, manipulative, all for naught, or neutral? Why? How does Madelyne view these sacrifices? How do other people react to Madelyne's sacrifices? How do these sacrifices shape other characters' view of Madelyne? Provide examples from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

During the novel, Madelyne often refers to herself as a coward. By the end of the novel, Duncan refers to Madelyne as courageous. Explain whether or not Madelyne is a coward or courageous and why. Why do Duncan and Madelyne disagree on this point and who is right, or are they both right? Explain your opinion and provide at least three concrete examples to support your point of view.

Essay Topic 3

Duncan admits that he doesn't like change, which Madelyne brings to his household. He believes that more change comes as long as she stays. What is Duncan's reaction to change? Is Madelyne a symbol of change in the novel? Why does Duncan want to marry Madelyne when he knows that she represents change in his life? Does he like the changes or is he merely putting up with change to appease her until she is his wife? Is Madelyne changing how Duncan perceives the world? Write an essay that discusses how Madelyne represents change in Duncan's world and provide examples from the novel to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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