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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. What does the family name their cow in Section 2?

2. Who is Gudny?

3. What happens to Bukolla at the end of Section 2?

4. What does Bjartur do the day before the round-up in Section 1?

5. What does the southern traveler bring to Asta in Section 2?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is Gunvor?

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

4. Who is Kolumkilli?

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

6. The novel opens with a story of Kolumkilli. Why would the author open with this story?

7. How do Sollilja's feelings about town change once she goes there in Section 2?

8. As the start of Section 2, what secret does Nonni reveal to his Granny?

9. Who is Gullbra and what happens to her in Section 1?

10. How does Bjartur express his connection to his dog in Section 1?

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

Analyze the contrast between city life and country life in the novel. What is Laxness saying about each? Which does he suggest is superior and why?

(see the answer keys)

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