1. In "Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 1, Fremantle," how is Hood described? What does Fremantle try to sense about Hood when he meets him?

2. In "Friday, July 3,1863, Chapter 5, Longstreet," why does Longstreet think he can no longer lead? How does Lee respond?

3. In "Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 5, Longstreet," Longstreet several times has the urge to talk to Lee about his tactics, and about Stuart, and yet he suppresses the urge. Why? Do you think that is the right thing to do?

4. Meade has been referred to many times throughout the novel, and is referred to again in "Friday, July 3,1863, Chapter 3, Chamberlain." What is your impression of him? Support your answer.

5. In "Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 6, Lee," how does Stuart respond to Lee's reprimand? Do you think Lee is right to reprimand him rather than court martial him?

6. In "Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 2, Longstreet," compare and contrast Pickett's anticipation of battle with Longstreet's.

7. In "Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 2, Chamberlain," what does Kilrain think the war is about?

8. In "Friday, July 3,1863, Chapter 4, Armistead," what are Armistead's dying thoughts?

9. In "Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 1, Chamberlain," what does Tom say about the bayonets?

10. Earlier, in "The First Day, Chapter 4, Chamberlain," Chamberlain remembers Ames saying that to lead men, "You must care for your men's welfare. You must show physical courage." Do you think Chamberlain exemplifies these qualities? Explain, including reference to "Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 4, Chamberlain,".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In war, reputations may be made that stick with a person throughout the rest of their lives, fairly or unfairly. In The Killer Angels, the author mentions several times that Richard "Dick" Garnett had been called a coward by General Jackson, and though the label was unfair, Garnett has been unable to live it down. In contrast, Lee is such a beloved general that even when he uses a strategy at Gettysburg that is devastating to his troops, the soldiers will not blame him. Using support from the text, discuss how reputations are made in The Killer Angels and what those reputations may mean to the characters' lives in battle and beyond.

Essay Topic 2

In any battle, the landscape on which it is fought plays a major role. How does the landscape around Gettysburg affect the battle? What were the advantages and challenges to that landscape and how does each side make the most of the advantages or try to overcome the challenges?

Essay Topic 3

Naturally, the characters in The Killer Angels had lives before and outside of the war. Choose three of the following characters and describe what the author tells us about their lives outside of the army. How do these lives influence them as soldiers? Given what the reader is told of those lives, are any of their actions within the army surprising? Why or why not? Use the text to support your ideas.

1) Chamberlain

2) Longstreet

3) Pickett

4) Armistead

(see the answer keys)

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