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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. In Scene 2, what does Joan raise after being given control of the military?

2. Who is the Dauphin's military adviser?

3. Who is the Dauphin's head of church in Scene 2?

4. In Scene 1, what city does Joan hope will be the location for the siege?

5. In Scene 3, what is the goal of the French army?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Joan identifies the true Dauphin in Scene 2, what does she tell the Dauphin, and how does he react?

2. Why doesn't the Dauphin hold any real power in Scene 2?

3. What is the setting for the play, and what is the location for the opening of the play?

4. In Scene 1, what makes Joan think she is doing God's work? What does Robert think of her assertions?

5. Explain what happens to the men in the king's dream who participated in the trial and execution of Joan of Arc.

6. Describe the end of the king's dream in the Epilogue.

7. In Scene 4, another man joins the conversation between the nobleman and the chaplain. Who is he and what are his beliefs about and intentions for Joan?

8. Robert de Baudricourt is upset because there are no eggs for his breakfast. What does the steward tell Robert is the reason for the lack of eggs?

9. Is Robert's decision to help Joan in Scene 1 based on emotion or rationalization? Why?

10. In Scene 2, what do the Archbishop of Rheims, Lord Chamberlain de la Tremouille, Gilles de Rais, and the Dauphin do to try and trick Joan, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Witchcraft has been feared for millennia, throwing whole countries into panic and causing chaos throughout history. Witchcraft has also been a convenient way for those in power to rid themselves of anyone challenging that power. Such is the case with Joan. Why would the English and French noblemen and church officials fear the actions of a mere girl? What reason would they have for putting her to death? Do you think these men actually believed that Joan was a witch, or do you think witchcraft made a convenient excuse for ridding themselves of a wild card? Why?

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

An ongoing theme throughout the play is feminism. Joan's role as a woman in Medieval France would rarely, if ever, have her participating in battle, let alone leading the troops. Do you think that Joan's supernatural powers and visions were a necessary component of her mission for her to be accepted and installed as a military leader? Or, do you think she would have been given the same respect as just a woman? Why? Joan obviously has no problem approaching high powered men. How does this add to the feminist theme?

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