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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 about the strange man captures Birle once he awakens in the morning?

2. How does Birle know that the mysterious figure is not a robber?

3. What does Birle finally reveal to the Lord?

4. Who tells Birle, "There might be people living up there, in the stars, think you"?

5. What is Birle forced to do to protect the Lord?

Short Essay Questions

1. Up until Chapter 6, Birle has more or less played the man's role in catching fish, rowing the boat, and even saving the Lord by slitting a dog's throat. But in this chapter, how does the Lord finally portray traits that are deemed "manly" by society?

2. In the beginning of Chapter 2, the mysterious man is asleep while Birle lies awake, yet she is unafraid. What makes her not fear this man?

3. Describe Corbel's initial appearance and his character.

4. Describe Ker and Torson's treatment of Orien and Birle.

5. In the beginning of her travels down the river with the Lord, Birle notes differences between him and men that she knows. What are they?

6. Why does Birle agree to marry Muir, and how does she feel about the wedding near the end of Chapter 2?

7. Briefly describe the discussion about Doubt that the Lord and Birle have.

8. Near the end of Chapter 5, the Lord is very sorrowful and then complains about having to sleep in a boat. Briefly describe just what he says and what his words tell us about his character.

9. What do Ker and Torson say when Orien tells them of his heritage, and where he and Birle are from?

10. What are some speculations Birle makes about why the Lord is running away from home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Birle wants control of her own life and situations, but she continually feels that fortune has a hand in everything. Joaquim even says "There are some who say that the Lady Fortune has a wheel , and all men are fixed upon it. The wheel turns, the men rise or fall, with the turning of the wheel." What does Joaquim mean with this statement? Who is Lady Fortune and how does it relate to Birle's view of fortune? How does fortune take away Birle's control?

Essay Topic 2

There are many characters in the novel that Birle and Orien meet. Choose one character and analyze him/her. Who is this character and what purpose does he/she serve to the story? What is his/her relationship to Birle and Orien?

Essay Topic 3

Birle has an interesting relationship with Nan. Describe who Nan is and how she is related to Birle. What does Birle feel for Nan given their relationship? How does she feel about her in the beginning of the book compared to the end? Throughout the novel, Nan is mentioned or thought of by Birle. Are these thoughts positive or negative? Why is Birle thinking about Nan and what does she owe to Nan? Discuss their relationship and how it has affected Birle's person. Use examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,296 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample