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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 do Severo and Fra Murta find out about Amara's knowledge of God?

2. Where will Jamie take Amara?

3. What does Palinor tell Fra Murta about his captains?

4. Why does Severo insist that Palinor has not sinned?

5. Why is Esperanca confused about Palinor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Palinor see as he rides into Ciudad?

2. What does Jamie find out about Amara's birth mother?

3. Why is Severo looking on a map of the world?

4. Describe Severo's night the night before Palinor is burned.

5. What does Severo say to Fra Murta to explain his behavior concerning Palinor? How does the Fra feel about it?

6. What does Palinor think about as far as writings of St. Augustine?

7. What does Severo hope about Fra Murta?

8. What does Fra Murta ask Amara and how does she respond?

9. How does Severo feel about Fra Murta and why?

10. Why does Severo turn Palinor over to Fra Murta?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book raises questions of what is human and what is animal, as well as questions of sin and forgiveness. Amara, who the nuns are trying to reform from her wolf-like ways, is treated horribly when she is gang-raped by shepherds.

1. Would you call the behavior of the shepherds more human than Amara's behavior at the Abbey? Why or why not?

2. Discuss what you believe is the difference between a human and an animal. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. What do you think the nuns should do with Amara at this point in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Severo's dream brings to light the role the Cardinal has played in Palinor's downfall. Severo easily could have let Palinor go, as the man clearly washed up on Grandinsula by accident, but Severo chose to detain Palinor, because he was interested in talking further with the atheist. What has happened to Palinor on Grandinsula is not a result of God's providence or God's hand, but of Severo's selfish desires.

1. Do you think it is Severo's fault that Palinor is being held? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Palinor should lie to save his life? Why or why not?

3. What would you do if you were in Severo's position? How about Palinor's?

Essay Topic 3

This chapter elaborates on some of the primary religious questions raised in the novel. Palinor believes he arrived on the island by accident, while Severo and Beneditx believe his presence must have a godly purpose.

1. Do you think Palinor arrived at the island by accident? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think Severo and Beneditx want to persuade Palinor his coming was no accident?

3. If Palinor is burned at the stake for his lack of belief, would that change your answer to the first two questions? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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