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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 3, what happens right after Joan prays?

2. In Scene 2, where do the Dauphin's advisers wait for him to arrive?

3. How do the high-ranking officials feel after the Dauphin tells them his decision after speaking with Joan in Scene 2?

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

5. What does Robert hope will help the troops with Joan's presence?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. How does Joan react to the powerful men kneeling at her feet in the king's dream?

3. What is the purpose of the author including the king's dream and its details in the Epilogue?

4. Once Joan is given complete control of the military, the Dauphin calls his advisers back into the room. What does he tell the men and how do they react?

5. What is Joan's first reaction to the church officials' demands for her to recant at her trial?

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

7. Is the fact that Joan is a woman an asset or liability to her cause?

8. What does Joan do in Scene 3 to convince the men in battle that she is authentic?

9. What do each of Joan's colleagues say about her plan to liberate Paris?

10. Scene 1 sees Robert go through several emotions. What are some of those emotions, and why does Robert experience them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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 2

An important part of Joan's leadership ability and faith is confidence. Joan radiates confidence borne of divine providence, and her faith is steadfast. Why is Joan so supremely confident in her mission? What makes her so confident? Do you think the supernatural events occurring during her presence increase that confidence? Why or why not?

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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