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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Elizabeth receive her new home and money?
(a) She enjoys the freedom.
(b) She feels out of place in the big house.
(c) She abides by the saying, "Take, have, and keep."
(d) She uses it to gain status around town.

2. In chapter 29, what does Lucetta offer Henchard?
(a) Money for his business.
(b) A long engagement.
(c) A scheme against Farfrae.
(d) An immediate marriage.

3. What are Farfrae's plans when he arrives in Casterbridge?
(a) To sell his wheat processing invention.
(b) To move on to Bristol and then to America.
(c) To spread the word of how lovely his country is to the world.
(d) To apply for the manager's position with the mayor.

4. To whom does Michael go for weather advice?
(a) Farfrae.
(b) Jopp.
(c) The weather-caster.
(d) Whittle.

5. Where does Susan and her daughter first see Michael Henchard?
(a) At the Three Mariners.
(b) At the King's Arms.
(c) Just outside the King's Arms looking in.
(d) At a local bakery.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Jopp's reaction to Henchard's curt behavior?

2. What does Farfrae and Susan observe about Henchard?

3. What is Lucetta's initial response when she meets Farfrae?

4. What makes Susan uncomfortable about her relationship with Newson?

5. What is Farfrae's reaction to Henchard's confession?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the furmity woman is shown as the defendant, Henchard notices something familiar but the thought flees his mind as quickly as it comes in. How does the furmity woman represent the sale of his wife twenty years ago? How does Henchard's reaction to the furmity woman represent how he feels about the transaction?

2. What is the atmosphere of the furmity tent when Michael offers his wife for sale?

3. When Susan is auctioned to Newson, she thinks it is binding. However, Hardy remarks that she is not the only woman to think this way. What does this say about Susan? About the times?

4. Abel Whittle is chronically late and with many warnings, he continues to be late. Fed up, Henchard heads to Abel's house and makes him get to the granary without breeches on. Farfrae argues that the joke goes too far and Abel should get him and dress. Henchard contends that it is to teach Abel a lesson and that this is no joke. When Henchard sells Susan to Newson, it too starts off as a joke. Henchard and all present blames the rum. Compare the two situations and Henchard's character. How much of the rum is to blame for the joke getting out of hand? If Farfrae is not there to stop the punishment, does Henchard continue on with the lesson?

5. At the hiring market, Farfrae and Lucetta witness a farmer who is in a dilemma. Either the farmer loses his sweetheart or fails his father. Lucetta shows concern and Farfrae offers to hire the man close in town so the farmer does not have to choose. What is the motivation behind Donald's decision? Does he really have concern for the farmer? Is it to impress Lucetta instead?

6. Hardy introduces Lucetta as a mystery woman, but with some hints that she knows Henchard. He also describes her as graceful and nice to Elizabeth. However, as the novel progresses, how does Hardy foreshadow that Miss Templeman may not be the woman Elizabeth thinks she is? What clues and observations does Elizabeth make, or comments of Hardy, show that Lucetta is as contriving as the other characters in Casterbridge?

7. Henchard shows both happiness and reservations concerning Susan's return. Henchard plans to remarry and care for his family. However, in his note to Susan, he writes, "The news upsets me almost," and in their meeting he states, "But- to lead me into ... this difficulty about our living together ..." What is going through Henchard's mind as he learns of his wife's return? Does he love her or is he obliged to a duty? What causes his reservations?

8. When Henchard visits Lucetta and asks her to marry him, she looks out the window to see Farfrae's hay wagons. What earlier scene is this reminiscent of? What is its importance in the storyline?

9. Lucetta shows she is capable of greedy motivations. Yet, she is also victim to Henchard's forceful behaviors. When she returns from Port-Bredy married to Farfrae, Henchard hollers his disapproval and for her to get away. When she does, she enters her home through the backdoor? Knowing what the back alley represents, why does she choose at this time to use this entrance?

10. Before Michael discovers who Elizabeth's real father is, he wants her to legally change her name to Henchard. For whom does he want this? How does Michael regard Elizabeth's feelings in this matter? Is it for them as a relationship as purely for his selfish wants?

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