View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Duncan need to take with him to London to talk to the king?

2. What method does Duncan use to change the subject when Madelyne is giving opinions?

3. What does Duncan do before entering his bedroom on his wedding night?

4. Duncan explains to Madelyne that on his land, all the trees are chopped down on the side of hills that face the fortress. What is the reason for trees being chopped down on one side only?

5. Where does Duncan tell Madelyne to go after the marriage ceremony is over?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Louddon believe that Madelyne does as he commands while she is under his control in London?

2. What suggestion does Gilard make that he thinks solves Madelyne's problem and why is it a self-serving solution?

3. Why is Madelyne worried about Gerald's visit?

4. Describe Duncan's assumptions associated with the reasoning behind Louddon's desire to retrieve Madelyne from Duncan.

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

6. What is Madelyne's plan to fight back against Louddon?

7. Why does Madelyne leave her chamber when she knows that Duncan is displeased if she leaves?

8. How does the fact that Father Laurence is an impostor affect Duncan and Madelyne?

9. What are three reasons that Madelyne is upset when Gilard and Edmond leave to give their forty days to their overlord?

10. Why does Duncan refuse to call witnesses to testify in his defense before the king?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,397 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample