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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. Adela overhears an upsetting conversation about Madelyne between Duncan and whom?

2. Why does Duncan intend to bring a priest with him when he returns from his trip to see the king?

3. Who is Father Laurence?

4. A scroll containing a message from the king arrives while Duncan is away. What is the preferred language for official communications like this one?

5. Why does Duncan try to rationalize his decision to marry Madelyne?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Louddon testifies in front of the king, what does he say and do?

2. Why does Duncan speak to Edmond about the Falcon holding?

3. Describe the aspects of family life that Duncan realizes is different than he is taught by his father.

4. Why does Madelyne suspect that Duncan is sent to the country for a month to cool off?

5. Why does Duncan not like the changes that Madelyne makes to the hall?

6. Why does Madelyne practice archery so hard and long?

7. Why does Madelyne make a sudden decision to marry Duncan?

8. What changes does Madelyne make to the hall without permission from Duncan after she and Duncan are wed?

9. Why is Adela worried about Gerald's visit?

10. How does Duncan manage to honor the pledges he makes to both Adela and Gerald?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One night Madelyne watches from her window as Duncan dives into the frosty waters of the nearby lake. It's also on that night that she first sees a large wolf on the hill near the castle. Duncan's reputation for being primitive and fearless leads to his nickname, the Wolf. Why is Duncan likened to a wolf from the very beginning of the novel? Which characters liken him to a wolf? What words does the author use to make Duncan seem wolf-like? Why does the novel end with Madelyne being saved from Louddon by the wolf? Compare and contrast Duncan with the wolf, both figuratively and literally. Provide examples from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

In romance novels, the typical heroine changes over time. Honor's Splendour is published in 1987. At the time, the heroine in a romance novel is typically beautiful, admirable in some way, sometimes weak, and often needs a man to save her. Compare and contrast Madelyne to the typical romance novel heroine. Use her relationships with at least two other characters in the novel to prove that she is either a typical or an atypical romance novel heroine. Provide examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

What does the author tell us about Morcar? What is his effect on the other characters in the novel, especially Adela, Madelyne, Duncan and Gerald? What does Duncan learn from Gerald's fight with Morcar on the battlefield? Why is Morcar in the novel? What part does he play in the romantic relationships in the novel, and in particular, the relationship between Madelyne and Duncan? What, if anything, does the author tell the reader about the consequences of evil deeds? Pick three ways that the author uses the character of Morcar to advance some aspect of the story. Provide examples from the novel to support your argument.

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