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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. For whose benefit does the King ask Merivel to marry Celia?

2. What animal does the King ask Merivel to cure?

3. What village is Merivel's mansion in?

4. Who is present at every meeting between Merivel and Celia when they are courting?

5. What will Finn get if he does his job well?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Merivel tell Finn when Finn asks for the favor?

2. Why does Reverend Sackpole want Merivel to examine Nell?

3. How does Merivel convince Lady Bathurst that she has nothing to worry about regarding Celia?

4. Why can't Merivel do what Finn asks of him?

5. How does Merivel's message to Celia differ from what the King told him to say?

6. How does Merivel get into Celia's room?

7. What does Celia look like?

8. Why doesn't Merivel try to treat his dog himself?

9. What does Merivel do after he leaves Celia on their wedding night?

10. What is wrong with Lady Bathurst's husband?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Power is a defining element in relationships in the novel. Discuss power in the novel.

1) What gives characters power over others in the novel?

2) What gives the King power, and what are the limits of the King's power? How does the King use his power?

3) What kind of power does Merivel have as a doctor and as an associate of the King in the novel? How does he use this power?

Essay Topic 2

Love is an important element of Merivel's relationships with others. Discuss love in the novel.

1) Who does Merivel love and why? What is his love for the King based on? What is his love for Pearce based on? What is his love for Celia based on? Does Merivel truly love any of these characters?

2) Who loves Merivel, and why? What is Katherine's love for Merivel based on? What is Merivel's servant's love for him based on? Does Merivel return any of the other characters' love?

3) How does love between the characters govern their actions in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Merivel is the central character of the novel, and much of the novel revolves around Merivel and his personal perceptions and growth. Discuss Merivel as a character.

1) What are Merivel's primary personality traits at the beginning of the novel? How did those traits develop?

2) How does Merivel change over the course of the novel? How does living at the mental hospital and among the poor in Cheapside affect him?

3) What is Merivel's personality like at the end of the novel? In what ways is he still the same, and in what ways has he changed?

(see the answer keys)

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