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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. What is Abel's punishment for being chronically late?
(a) Going through town without breeches.
(b) Lashings.
(c) He is laid off.
(d) He is to sleep in Henchard's barn.

2. What keeps the Scotchman lingering about the King's Arms?
(a) A discussion about the mayor's past.
(b) A discussion on the bad wheat around town.
(c) The King's Arms is the only inn he finds.
(d) The music band gets him curious.

3. How does Elizabeth and Lucetta meet?
(a) While looking for Farfrae in the marketplace.
(b) Elizabeth applies to work for the new woman coming to Casterbridge.
(c) They are both visiting Susan's grave.
(d) Lucetta visits Henchard and meets Elizabeth.

4. What makes Susan uncomfortable about her relationship with Newson?
(a) Newson is a drunkard.
(b) Because Elizabeth Jane is not his daughter.
(c) Newson is always at sea.
(d) She discovers her marriage is not binding.

5. What does Farfrae and Susan observe about Henchard?
(a) Henchard is paranoid.
(b) Henchard exudes charity to all around him.
(c) Henchard is a conman.
(d) Henchard has sudden moods.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What occupies Elizabeth's mind after the celebration is over?

3. What do Susan and Michael decide about Elizabeth?

4. In chapter 19, what act blatantly shows Michael's disrespect for Susan's request?

5. What do the people of Casterbridge know of the mayor's past wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. Henchard is a man of wealth and status in Casterbridge, yet he is lonely in friendship as well as marriage. As soon as he meets Farfrae, he is intrigued. Not only does he look to Farfrae as a business manager, but also as a friend. What benefits and dangers does Henchard risk in befriending Farfrae so early on with such sensitive confessions?

4. 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?

5. Donald Farfrae is a stranger in Casterbridge, yet he decides to help Henchard. This is not a common act between strangers as seen by Henchard's surprise. What does this say about Farfrae's character? Does he really want something or is he really acting as a good Samaritan?

6. Although Hardy reveals that Henchard is not in love with Susan, he feels defensive when the boys around town call Susan, "The Ghost". Does he really love her and does not know it? Is he defensive to protect his own name? Is Henchard a better man that he reveals himself to be?

7. When the new farming machinery is shown in the marketplace, Lucetta and Elizabeth look at it with inquiry. Lucetta describes it as an agricultural piano and Elizabeth states that it is something to do with corn. These statements are very different, as is there personality. Compare and contrast their response to the machine and how it reflects their personality.

8. Henchard hears from Lucetta and believes he should marry her. At this point, Susan is on her deathbed. Why does Henchard want to marry Lucetta? Is it another obligation? Does he have feelings for her?

9. 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?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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