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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 does Lincoln say that Southerners are in Chapter 5?

2. Why does Mary Lincoln not attend Kate Chase's wedding?

3. David Herold is told to watch for Lincoln's movements and _____________________.

4. Who sets out on a week-long debauch after Kate's party?

5. How is Mrs. Lincoln harmed when she is victim of an assassination plot aimed for her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information does Herold learn about the misinformation being fed to Union sources regarding the rebel strength?

2. Why do the rebel spies think that Herold has succeeded in poisoning Lincoln at the time he delivers the Gettysburg Address?

3. What are the circumstances of David Herold meeting John Wilkes Booth?

4. What name is the Republican party known as at the Baltimore convention and what are Lincoln's views of the convention?

5. What precipitates Lincoln's discussions with black leaders and his issuing the Emancipation Proclamation?

6. What is the speculation of Mrs. Lincoln's involvement in President Lincoln's speech to Congress being printed in the New York Herald?

7. What is Lincoln's final stance regarding the Wikoff incident?

8. What honor does Grant receive in the midst of talk about his presidential aspirations?

9. Why does Booth say Lincoln must be poisoned soon?

10. What is the source of Lincoln's resolve in the 100 days prior to the election?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample