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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 Merivel look for at the pub for his dog?

2. What does Merivel hire Meg as?

3. How does Merivel respond to Rosie's request?

4. Who does Merivel say will judge Celia's progress?

5. Where is Merivel's painting instructor living?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Merivel set about the job given to him by the Justice of the Peace?

2. What does Merivel think about when he visits Kaw?

3. Why has Celia come to the mansion?

4. Explain the metaphor in the story that Pearce tells Merivel.

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

6. What does the King order Merivel to do for him at the end of the first chapter?

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

8. Explain what the King hopes to gain by having Merivel marry Celia.

9. What does Merivel think of his first attempts at painting?

10. What is Merivel's reaction to the letter about Rosie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merivel experiences different types of lives in the novel. He lives in the King's Court. He lives in a manor as a Lord. He also lives in a mental hospital, and in Cheapside, an impoverished area of London. In these different ways of life, Merivel finds differnt kinds of fulfillment and happiness. Discuss fulfillment and happiness in the novel.

1) Where is Merivel most fulfilled and happiness? Why?

2) Compare Merivel's happiness in the presence of the King to his happiness in the presence of Pearce. What different types of fulfillment do Merivel's most valued friends provide him?

3) How does Merivel's perception of what will make him happy change over the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The novel is set in the historical period of the Restoration in England. Discuss this historical setting and the relationship between the novel and history.

1) Why did the author choose to set a novel in this time period and name the novel after the historical period?

2) How do historical events such as the fire in London and the plague affect the story?

3) How does your knowledge of things like modern medicine affect how you view the characters and what they do in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample