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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. According to Chapter 20, why does everyone do chores in the courtyard in the afternoon?

2. After Madelyne redoes the hall, it resembles what other place?

3. What happens to Father Laurence's hands?

4. Why does Adela straighten the sleeves of her gown and pat her hair after dinner?

5. What color is Duncan's attire for the wedding?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Duncan insist that Gerald kiss Adela?

4. After dinner and Madelyne's singing, what alliances do Duncan and Edmond discuss with regard to Louddon?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Madelylne begins by dreaming of Odysseus and then sings about his adventures, teaching the Wextons and Gerald of his story. From whom and under what circumstances does Madlyne learn about Odysseus and Ployphemus? Who are these mythological characters and how do they allude to characters in Honor's Splendour? Who reminds Madelyne of Odysseus and why? Who reminds Madelyne of Polyphemus and why? Does Madelyne find that in the end, she is living the dream of Odysseus? Provide examples from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Madelyne is filled with insults for her from Adela at dinner until she infuriates Madelyne, who takes control to end the situation. She forces Adela to clean up her act and in the process, Adela confides in Madelyne the truth of how she is raped. Why does Madelyne tell Adela that she must talk about the rape? Does Adela's confession help Madelyne heal from Louddon's abuse as well, or is she unaffected by Adela's story and her similar abusive experiences with Louddon? Compare and contrast the treatment of both Adela and Madelyne at the hands of Louddon. Provide examples from the book to support your conclusions.

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