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

2. What is the law for second marriages for commoners?

3. What is Birle's position in society?

4. What does Birle learn about the Lord's character in Chapter 3?

5. What types of people has Birle heard tales about since childhood, which might speculate as to who this mysterious figure might be?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What convinces the Lord to accept Birle as a traveling companion?

3. Describe how Birle is treated by the middling man.

4. Why does Orien pretend to be like Ker and Torson when the brothers begin to look at Birle as a woman?

5. Chapter 2 discusses a brief family background of Birle's. Who is Granda, Gran, Lyss, Da, and Nan and how are they related to Birle?

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

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

8. What drives Birle to suggest that she travel with the Lord, and what compels him to agree?

9. Why did Birle used to shirk from her inn duties?

10. In what ways does Birle demonstrate her independence and usefulness to the reader and Orien in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although not said specifically, the idea of karma (what goes around comes around) is hinted at several times throughout the book. Define karma and what you think it means. Find the examples in the book which exemplify karma.

Essay Topic 2

Both Birle and Orien are runaways, but both have different reasons for running away. What are Birle's reasons? What are Orien's reasons? Are their reasons valid for running away? Take a look at all that has happened to them because they chose to run away. Could it all have been avoided if they remained where they were? If they had not run away, what might have become of them?

Essay Topic 3

Loyalty is a theme seen within the novel various times. Analyze and discuss the loyalty between one of the following pairs:

1. Birle and Orien.

2. Birle and Joaquim.

3. Birle and Yul.

(see the answer keys)

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