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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 Joan speaks with the Dauphin and his advisers in Scene 2, what does the Dauphin do?

2. To whom does Joan make a request after the Dauphin gives her military control?

3. How does the Dauphin feel about Joan's convictions in Scene 2?

4. What is one of the attributes given to Joan in Scene 3 that is considered verification of her reputation?

5. How does Joan feel about meeting with the leader of her country?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the men responsible for Joan's trial and execution react to the news that she has been canonized?

2. What is the subject of the dream which awakens the king in the Epilogue?

3. Who joins the Archbishop of Rheims and Lord Chamberlain de la Tremouille to wait for the Dauphin's arrival in Scene 2? What is this man's nickname and why is that what he is called?

4. In Scene 4, two men in an English army camp are having a discussion. Who are the men, and what are they discussing?

5. In Scene 2, what does Gilles de Rais tell the Archbishop of Rheims and Lord Chamberlain de la Tremouille about Joan?

6. Would Joan's mission be complete with a victory at Orleans, or would it just whet her appetite for battle?

7. How do the new king and his advisers feel about Joan and her desire to continue in battle after her success at Orleans?

8. In Scene 3, what does Dunois need, and why?

9. What is the additional charge brought against Joan in Scene 6, and what is her reaction to that charge?

10. After her victory at Orleans, what are Joan's intentions outlined in Scene 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joan's power over the most important men in France leads to fear that her individualism might undermine the stability of the feudal structure. Describe the various intricacies of the feudal system and elaborate on what Joan's actions, while appearing fairly insignificant, might do to affect the entire structure. If the feudal system did collapse, what would the ramifications be to each level of the system? What would the pros and cons be of just such a synergistic system being the core of a country's economy and political/social structure?

Essay Topic 2

"Saint Joan: A Chronicle Play in Six Scenes and an Epilogue" is a very short play considering the intricacies involved in telling the story of Joan of Arc. Shaw obviously had to distill his information to make the play interesting and still stay true to Joan's life. Give examples of what you think the author declined to include that might have made the story more interesting, exciting, in-depth, etc. and why. Do you think Joan of Arc's life deserves a longer play, or do you think Shaw does an effective job with his format? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In the beginning of the play, the Dauphin is an ineffectual, weak leader. France is in the hands of the men who financially support the Dauphin, and the Dauphin is simply a puppet. Joan's mission includes restoring France to its people and freeing her from the English. An integral part of that plan is to employ a strong, effectual leader. How does Joan give the Dauphin the confidence he needs to become king? How does she restore his faith in his life's mission and his ability to rule France? Does this plan include the Dauphin's support staff? How does Joan win them over as well?

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