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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 Birle offer the Lord as a gift?

2. What question from Birle turns the Lord reticent for two days?

3. What does Orien tell Birle without her even asking?

4. Near the end of Chapter 2, what are Birle's feelings towards her intended?

5. What is Birle's goal in regards to the thief and the boat?

Short Essay Questions

1. For a young girl and an Innkeeper's daughter, Birle displays a very independent nature. Give a few examples of how she displays this in Chapter 1.

2. How could the initial encounter between Birle and the thief be described?

3. Describe the encounter between the dog, the Lord, and Birle. What about Birle's character is expressed through her actions?

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

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

6. What are the "treasures" Birle's grandparents bestow upon her and why are they so important?

7. Joaquim and Corbel are brothers, yet they are vastly different. Briefly describe their differences and mention why Corbel keeps Joaquim around.

8. Within Chapter 1, Birle observes the mysterious figure and has a brief encounter with him. What clues lead her to the conclusion that he is a city-man, what options does she rule out, and why?

9. Briefly describe what happened with the woman Orien loved.

10. Where should Birle be in the beginning of Chapter 1 instead of where she is, and why is she not there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Birle and Orien are the novel's two main character who journey together and face many obstacles both together and separately. Analyze their relationship and discuss the dynamics of it. In the beginning, what sort of relationship do they have? How does Birle feel for Orien? How does Orien feel for Birle? What does their relationship evolve into, and how? Do you see it coming? Have any feelings changed? Has the relationship changed? How? What events lead to the decisions in the end? Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

The novel has several literary elements that make up the story. Pick five elements (such as setting, conflict, etc.) and briefly describe how it relates to the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Many times people take something that has been given to them or something that they have learned for granted. Often times these gifts are taken for granted because people cannot see their true worth. Sometimes one might understand the true value of a gift and sometimes, never. For Birle, the two "treasures" she ultimately finds very useful to have is the ability to read and write. How did she initially feel about being given this treasure by her grandparents and why did she feel this way? Along her journey, how did her views of being able to read and write change? In what instances was it helpful? How does she regard her treasures by the end? Be specific using examples.

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