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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 happened to Birle's mother?

2. What does Yul do when Ker tries to fondle Birle?

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

4. What is the name of the Inn?

5. How many days are Birle and Orien stuck on the rock?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the Lord and Birle discuss about second marriages and second wives?

2. 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?

3. 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.

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

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

The concept of fear is used throughout the book, especially by Corbel. What is fear and how does it control a man? How does a man control it? How does a man use fear as a means of control? Discuss the ideas of fear and control as separate entities and how they work together. Use examples and characters from the book. Mention the times that Birle has been afraid and analyze why. Was it another person who made her afraid or an outside force? Was her fear justified?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Corbel is one of the antagonists in the novel. Discuss and analyze his character. What sort of antagonist is he? What makes up his persona? How do others view him? How does Birle view him? What about Joaquim? Although we do not see Corbel often, why is he an essential character to the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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