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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. How old is Uther Botkin?

2. What is the name of the horse that Duncan has had since he was a child?

3. Where is Marguerite living in Part III, Chapter 28?

4. What is the name of Silas's nephew?

5. What are Alexander Kirkpatrick and his wife forced to do while in jail?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Duncan Gatewood when the storm, Cox's Snow, hits?

2. Why is the woman at the beginning of Part I, Chapter 1, traveling the countryside?

3. What was Miss Marguerite's name in 1857?

4. What does Ellam Omohundru do with Maggie in Part I, Chapter 10?

5. How did Uther Botkin obtain his property that he now lives on?

6. What happens to Duncan during the big battle at McDowell?

7. What happens to Duncan's horse, Gypsy, during the battle in Chancellorsville?

8. Why does Jesse keep trying to run away from the Stratford Plantation?

9. What is Jesse's new job in Part III, Chapter 31, at the hospital?

10. How much money is Silas going to sell Maggie for as incentive for Ellam to treat her with some respect until time for the sale?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Jacob's Ladder" is historical fiction which is a story that is set in the past. "Jacob's Ladder" is set in the Civil War in Virginia, and therefore, it is considered historical fiction. Examine the different historical references throughout "Jacob's Ladder". What makes "Jacob's Ladder" historical fiction? Does the author make a point of centering his story on actual events that happened during the Civil War? Does he use real places and dates? Does it make his story more believable? How does it enhance the story?

Essay Topic 2

Silas Omohundru has a certain view about how slaves should be treated that is comparable to Samuel Gatewood's view. Compare Silas Omohundru to Samuel Gatewood, analyzing how each treats slaves and each one's view on slavery in general. Who cares more about how slaves are actually treated in relation to their feelings? Does Samuel think of slaves as actual human beings with feelings? Why? How does Silas's treatment of his slaves compare to Samuel's?

Essay Topic 3

Most of the characters in "Jacob's Ladder" have no idea what the war will do to their lives. Examine how the characters' first ideas of the war differ from the actual realities of the war. How do Duncan's fantasies really have nothing in common with the realities of war? How can someone's fantasy of something almost make the reality harder to bear? Is Alexander having a harder time dealing with his reality because of his preconceived notions of war?

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