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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. Whose brain has Vane been inside?

2. Of what does the rising sun remind Vane?

3. Who does Vane think Lona is?

4. Who does Vane think will ascend the throne?

5. What does Vane fear as he bathes and eats at the palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Vane bond with a magnificent horse and what does he do with the horse?

2. What saves Vane from wolves and how do they influence Vane?

3. About what does Raven read from the mutilated book?

4. What does Adam explain about sleep?

5. When Vane sees the Princess, what does she tell him when she first sees him and what does he think?

6. What does Raven tell Vane back at Vane's house?

7. What does the Princess tell Vane after Vane bathes and eats?

8. Describe Vane's trek to buy Lililth's hand.

9. Describe the garret and mirror.

10. Describe the Princess's encounter with Lona.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of wisdom is woven throughout LILITH. Mr. Vane, who is a well-read and educated man acts foolishly numerous times in the other world that he reaches through the mirror. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concept of wisdom. Use both an acceptable source and then your own ideas of what you believe wisdom is.

2. Trace and analyze how Vane comes to find wisdom.

3. How important do you think being wise is? How important is it to you that you be wise? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Vane desires to be helpful to the Little Ones and others he meets in the other world. Sometimes what he thinks is being helpful is actually harmful. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze three situations when Mr. Vane is trying to be helpful but the results are harmful. What is he trying to do? Why does he want to help? Is his help actually needed? What is the result of his help?

2. MacDonald seems to suggest that the "modern" world of his day was abandoning philanthropy in the pursuit of knowledge and material possessions. Discuss this idea in light of the text using examples to illustrate your thoughts.

3. In your own experience, do you think at times it is difficult to distinguish between helpfulness and causing harm? Why or why not? How can one know when to help and when to leave someone to figure things out for themselves?

Essay Topic 3

LILITH is first published in the last decade of the 19th century, a time when much of the writing was greatly influenced by religious motifs and classical Roman and Greek works. In addition to the classics, MacDonald is very well-versed in the works of more "recent" (recent to his time) writers such as William Blake and those of the Romantic era. Therefore, knowledge of the author and of some of the influences on his writing is helpful in understanding much of the symbolism and imagery in LILITH.

1. Research the author George MacDonald. Where does he grow up; what is his religious background; where is he educated and what does he study? What are his beliefs as an adult?

2. What do you learn about George MacDonald's life that you think influences his writing of Lilith? Give examples from your research and then pair it up with examples from the text of Lilith.

3. Choose one Romantic writer such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Walt Whitman, etc... and after researching your chosen author, see if you can find how the author may have influenced MacDonald in his writing of LILITH.

(see the answer keys)

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