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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. Who does Chase want excluded from a position in Lincoln's cabinet?

2. What does Chevalier Wikoff offer to give the U.S. government if his son receives a naval commission?

3. Who do the rebels think is the real boss in the U.S. government?

4. Why has Lincoln arrived in Washington in great secrecy?

5. What do the people of Virginia do on the first day of the battle in Virginia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the mood in Washington as Chapter 15 begins and what is on Seward's mind regarding Lincoln's presidency?

2. How does Vidal open the novel?

3. What is the purpose of Stephen Douglas' visit to the White House?

4. What is David Herold's first mission as a rebel courier and what is he told to focus on going forward?

5. What are David Herold's surprising views as he watches Lincoln walk to church?

6. Whose arrival is anxiously anticipated in Chapter 14 to provide some security in Washington?

7. Why is Lincoln forced to hold Cabinet meetings in the Naval Department?

8. What type of role do Seward and Chase envision holding in Lincoln's Cabinet?

9. What is Lincoln's position on blacks at the beginning of the novel and how does that change as the story evolves?

10. What is the issue regarding Lincoln's Kentucky relatives during this time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the point of view of the story? Why did Vidal choose to write the story from this perspective? What are the benefits and the limitations to this particular point of view?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of struggle. Identify at least two instances about struggle in the story and then cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Assassination plots take on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

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