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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. Where did Kolumkilli sail to Iceland from?

2. What animal comes to Summerhouse in Section 2?

3. How many sons do Bjartur and Finna have?

4. What does Rosa tell Bjartur she is craving in Section 1?

5. What does Rosa wish to leave on Gunnvor's tomb in Section 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Bukolla and how does she impact the family in Section 2?

2. How does Rosa describe Summerhouse when she first sees it in Section 1?

3. What do Rosa and Bjartur argue about during their first night back at Summerhouse?

4. How is the title of Section 2 ironic?

5. What does Bjartur find when he comes back to Summerhouse after he is out searching for Gullbra, in Section 1?

6. How does the relationship between Asta Sollilja and Bjartur change over the course of Section 2?

7. What is Bruni, in Section 1, and how does it help the farmers?

8. Who is Gunvor?

9. What is the state of Summerhouse by the end of Section 2?

10. What are examples of Nonni's imagination in Section 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does Christianity play in the novel? Consider which characters might represent Christianity and which might represent other religions.

Essay Topic 2

Bjartur desires independence above all else. How does this blind desire for independence negatively impact his life?

Essay Topic 3

Select one of the many songs or poems in the novel and analyze its meaning.

(see the answer keys)

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