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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. After his conversation with Jane, Venters is going to tell someone that they have broken their vow. Who?

2. When Lassiter finally removes his guns to show Jane how much he loves her, what does she do?

3. Who is following Lassiter and Jane as they head for Surprise Valley?

4. After the race with Jerry Card, what does Venters do next?

5. Bess and Venters return to the cliff dwellings and find something more. What?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Chapter 22 ends, Bess and Venters hear a low thundering sound. What is the sound? What does it mean?

2. Venters gives a tribute to Jane when he faces Tull. How does Jane react to this? Describe the range of her emotions.

3. When Lassiter returns from Surprise Valley, what do he and Jane discover about her horses? Why is this important? What does this mean to Jane and Lassiter?

4. What is the bet between Venters and Jane about the speed of the horses? Who is right in the end?

5. Describe the trial of Jane's men. Who is the judge? Do you think this is a fair trial? Why or why not?

6. Why is Jane angered when she meets Bess? What else does Jane discover when she and Lassiter meet with Bess and Venters?

7. Judkins comes to tell Jane the white herd is missing. What happened to them? Who was lost? How does this compare to Lassiter's work earlier in the novel with the white herd?

8. When Venters arrives back at Jane's house from Surprise Valley, how has Venters changed? How have his feelings toward Jane changed? Why is this important?

9. How did the loss of Milly affect Lassiter? He talks about traveling and going to the "bad." What did this mean and how is this connected to the loss of his sister?

10. When Venters shoots Oldring, Oldring tries to say something before he dies. What do you think he was trying to say? Why is Venters so upset when he talks to Bess on his return to Surprise Valley? What does he decide not to tell her at this point?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How did the search for Milly Erne change Lassiter? How did it change her husband Frank? What about Milly's parents? How are Lassiter's actions toward Milly's disappearance different from the others? Why do you think this is true?

Essay Topic 2

How does Bishop Dyer use religious guilt to control Jane? Why is Jane unable to overcome her fixation on Bishop Dyer's religious image? At what point in the novel do you feel the tide is changing in regard to Jane's feelings toward Bishop Dyer. Please be specific.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story, Jane is trying to get Lassiter's guns, but when he finally offers them, she refuses. What has changed in both characters at this point in the story? Then, at the end, Lassiter drops and leaves his gun as he ascends the cliff to Surprise Valley. What is the symbolism here? What does it mean that the guns are empty?

(see the answer keys)

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